Circumpolar Connections: A Dialogue on Arctic Food Systems
Across the circumpolar North, communities face similar challenges in building resilient and sustainable food systems due to harsh climates, remote geographies and rapidly changing environmental conditions.
The Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension at the University of Alaska Fairbanks hosts a monthly seminar series designed to engage researchers, students and community members in dialogue about food systems and agricultural challenges across the circumpolar North. Each session will feature a 30-minute presentation followed by open discussion, encouraging audience participation and interdisciplinary connection.
While the series centers on agriculture and wild-harvested food in Alaska and other northern regions, its broader goal is to inspire curiosity, strengthen partnerships, and support resilient, sustainable food systems.
Register to attend on Zoom at .
Upcoming Seminar: Greenhouse technologies with Meriam Karlsson
Tuesday, January 13, noon - 1 p.m.
Globe Room and on
Speaker: Meriam Karlsson, professor of horticulture
Karlsson will share her work applying new technologies in greenhouses to extend the growing season in northern environments. She will describe her research on using LEDs in innovative ways to maximize food production, provide examples of businesses in Alaska and Sweden that grow food year-round and open up a conversation about increasing Alaska鈥檚 access to local food.

Future Seminars
-
Jan13
Meriam Karlsson, professor of horticulture
Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. -
Feb10
Lacey Higham, directing manager of the Georgeson Botanical Garden
Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. -
March3
Jan Dawe, assistant professor of natural resource education and community engagement
Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. -
March31
Jessie Young-Robertson, research associate professor of forest ecology
Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. -
April14
Caley Gasch, research assistant professor of soil science
Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. -
April28
Elvey Building Globe Room and on Zoom
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Laura Weingartner at 907-474-6009 or lgweingartner@alaska.edu.
