What UAF Cooperative Extension Does in Alaska
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the UAF Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension. According to the UAF catalog, it has provided research-based, practical education to Alaskans since 1930 and serves about 50,000 Alaskans a year. Its major issue areas are food safety and security, health, natural resources, energy, youth, families and communities, and economic development. For most readers of this directory, that means three things: help growing and preserving food in Alaska's odd climates, publications and classes for producers and gardeners, and 4-H.
Where the Offices Are
Extension faculty and staff work in 11 locations: Anchorage, Bethel, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kodiak, Nome, Palmer, Sitka and Soldotna, per the UAF catalog. The district finder groups the state into districts named Tanana, Delta Junction, Northwest/Nome, Kenai/Soldotna, Dillingham, Kodiak, Mat-Su/Copper River, Anchorage, Juneau and Sitka. Outreach also runs remotely, which matters in a state where many farms are not on the road system.
The state office is in Fairbanks at 1751 Tanana Loop, P.O. Box 756180, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6180. The main number is 907-474-5211, and 877-520-5211 is toll-free within Alaska. If you do not know which district you belong to, call the state office and ask.
4-H in Alaska
The Alaska 4-H page lists ten 4-H districts that match the Extension districts: Tanana/Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Northwest/Nome, Dillingham, Kodiak, Kenai/Soldotna, Mat-Su/Copper River, Anchorage, Juneau and Sitka. It also has a club finder, a calendar, a forms page and the 4-H Procedural Handbook.
Ages and Enrollment
Under the Alaska 4-H procedure guidelines:
- 4-H age is figured on or before August 15 of the upcoming program year, and participation runs from age 5 through 19.
- Cloverbuds must be 5 by August 15 and stay in Cloverbud through 4-H age 8. Juniors are 8 to 11, intermediates 12 to 14, and seniors 15 to 18.
- The program year runs October 1 through September 30. Members can generally enroll at any time and can add or drop projects at any time.
- Each member pays one membership fee, set each year by the State 4-H Program Leader, plus any fees for units, events or activities. Fee waivers are available, and the request form comes from your district.
- Cloverbuds cannot enroll in large animal projects, including horse and pony, or in shooting sports. They get recognition for participating, not placings or prize money.
- Shooting Sports members must be 9 or older by August 15.
- Fair participation is optional and is not required for 4-H involvement.
Note that the Alaska State Fair exhibitor guide figures age divisions as of October 1 of the prior year, so check the guide for the fair you plan to enter.
Livestock Projects and the Market Auction
Alaska 4-H livestock families get a lot of their information from district Extension offices. In the Mat-Su/Copper River district, for example, the 2026 livestock calendar from the Mat-Su/Copper River district listed four mandatory informational meetings (families attend one), an April 14 online auction registration, June rally days for large livestock weigh-in and paperwork, a July 6 paperwork deadline at the Extension office, a July 10 buyer contact deadline, and an August 10 large livestock show registration. The calendar notes that missing auction registration makes a member ineligible to auction that year.
Other districts run their own sales. The Tanana district's 2026 market livestock auction was held Friday, August 7 at the Tanana Valley State Fair, sponsored by Tanana District 4-H, the Alaska FFA Association, the fair association and the Alaska Farm Bureau, according to the district auction flyer. The Alaska State Fair junior market auction in Palmer has raised large sums for members; the Anchorage Daily News reported that 136 animals were auctioned the previous year for $740,000 in the 2026 story.
Help for Producers, Gardeners and Households
Extension publishes hundreds of publications and videos, available at district offices or the Extension website, per the UAF catalog. The 4-H page also links an "Ask Extension" service, publications, and classes and events. Typical questions people bring include food preservation, growing food in a short season, and natural resource issues. If you have a specific problem, call your district office first and ask who handles that subject.
How to Get Started
- Find your district on the Extension district finder and call the office.
- For 4-H, use the club finder to locate a club, then ask the district about enrollment, fees and any fee waiver.
- If you want to show livestock, ask about informational meetings and registration deadlines before you buy an animal. In Mat-Su the auction registration deadline falls in April.
- Read the exhibitor guide for each fair you plan to enter. Fair rules differ from the general 4-H rules.
- Dates and deadlines change every year. Confirm with your district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the state Extension office?
1751 Tanana Loop in Fairbanks. The phone is 907-474-5211, or 877-520-5211 toll-free within Alaska.
How old do I have to be to join 4-H?
Participation runs from age 5 through 19, with age figured on or before August 15 of the program year.
Do I have to show at a fair?
No. The procedure guidelines say fair participation is optional.
Does 4-H cost money?
Each member pays one annual membership fee plus any activity fees, and fee waivers are available through your district.
Alaska Listings Covered by This Guide
- Mat-Su 4-H Mandatory Livestock Information Meeting at Palmer High
Fourth of four required spring meetings where Mat-Su 4-H and FFA families learn market-livestock rules before the fair, held in the Palmer High School ag building. Held each year; the 2026 session was March 19.
Palmer, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Mat-Su Copper River District Official event details - Mat-Su 4-H Livestock Rally Days
Large-livestock weigh-in, paperwork and small-livestock sign-ups for Mat-Su Copper River 4-H members heading to the Alaska State Fair; an alternate session ran June 5 at the Palmer High ag building. Held each year.
- Fairbanks 4-H Wildlife and Wildfire Day Camp
One-day $25 camp with lunch at the UAF Large Animal Research Station teaching youth about wildlife and wildfire. Held each year; the most recent date was June 16, 2026.
2220 Yankovich Road, Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Fairbanks 4-H Cloverbud Camp
Three-day morning camp for ages 5 to 8 at Georgeson Botanical Garden, limited to 25 campers at $50. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026.
Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Alaska 4-H Experience Camp
Statewide residential camp for ages 11 to 18 at Echo Ranch near Haines, $500 with ferry or $400 without. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-24, 2026.
- Mat-Su 4-H Small Stock Camp
Two-day hands-on camp for young 4-H rabbit, poultry and other small-livestock exhibitors, held in the 4-H Building at the fairgrounds before the state fair. Held each year; most recent dates were July 23-24, 2026.
Palmer, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Mat-Su Copper River District Official event details - Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo
Three-day 4-H agriculture expo in the Soldotna Sports Center ice arena with a youth livestock auction, celebrity showmanship and vendors. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24-26, 2026.
- Fairbanks 4-H Favorite Foods Contest
Noon food-preparation contest at the Upper 4-H Community Center, held the Monday before the Tanana Valley State Fair opens. Held each year; the most recent date was July 27, 2026.
Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Fairbanks 4-H Sewing Challenge
Timed sewing contest for Tanana District 4-H members, held in Room 154 of the University Park Building on the UAF campus. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
1000 University Ave, Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Fairbanks 4-H Fashion Revue, Demonstrations and Performing Arts
Tanana District 4-H members model sewn garments and give demonstrations and performances on a Sunday of fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was Aug. 2, 2026.
- Fairbanks 4-H Bake-Off
Youth baking contest during the Tanana Valley State Fair, held in the Spenard Test Kitchen inside the Borealis Building. Held each year; the most recent date was Aug. 5, 2026.
Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Mat-Su 4-H Livestock Conformation and Showmanship Shows
Held each year at the Alaska State Fair; the most recent dates were Sept. 3-4, 2026, with large livestock conformation judging on the 3rd and showmanship classes for juniors, intermediates and seniors on the 4th.
- 4-H and FFA Market Livestock Project Auction (Tanana)
The 47th annual auction sold beef, swine, lamb, goat, rabbit, turkey and chicken projects at the Tanana Valley State Fair on Aug. 7, 2026, with a 5 p.m. reception and 6 p.m. sale.
1800 College Road, Fairbanks, AK | 1-907-474-2427 - Alaska Farmers Cooperative Inc
Grower cooperative based in Delta Junction and a participant in the Alaska Grown program.
Delta Junction, AK - Alaska Peony Cooperative
Willow based cooperative of growers selling premium Alaska peonies.
Willow, AK | 907-306-8137 Website - Anchorage District Extension Office
Extension district office for the Anchorage area offering 4-H and agriculture programs.
Anchorage, AK - Delta Junction District Extension Office
Delta Junction extension office, part of the Tanana District, serving the grain and hay farms of the Delta area.
Delta Junction, AK - Dillingham District Extension Office
Extension district office in Dillingham serving the Bristol Bay region.
Dillingham, AK - Juneau District Extension Office
Southeast extension district office in Juneau for gardening, food and 4-H programs.
Juneau, AK - Kachemak Shellfish Growers Co-Op
Homer cooperative of oyster farmers growing shellfish in Kachemak Bay.
Homer, AK Website - Kenai Peninsula District 4-H
District 4-H program that hosts the Kenai Peninsula Ag Expo with celebrity showmanship, sealed bids and vendor booths.
Soldotna, AK - Kodiak 4-H Livestock Show and Auction
Show at 9 AM, bidder registration at 11 and auction at noon at the Kodiak fairgrounds; free admission. Held each year; the most recent verified date was Sept. 3, 2022.
Kodiak, AK | 907-486-1503 - Kodiak District 4-H
Kodiak Island 4-H program behind the 4-H livestock show and auction at the Kodiak fairgrounds.
Kodiak, AK | 907-486-1503 - Kodiak Harvest Food Co-op
Kodiak island food cooperative connecting local growers with shoppers.
Kodiak, AK Website - Mat-Su 4-H and FFA Junior Market Livestock Auction
Youth sell market pigs, beef, quail, yaks, reindeer and honey at the Alaska State Fair; the prior year 136 animals brought $740,000, and one pig sold for $13 per pound.
2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645 - Mat-Su/Copper River District 4-H
4-H and FFA district that runs the junior market livestock program and auction at the Alaska State Fairgrounds, housed at the Matanuska Experiment Farm.
Palmer, AK | (907) 745-3679 - Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center
Working research farm with 260 cultivated acres and 800 acres of forest, a teaching beef herd, soil and cover crop studies, community gardens, and fall potato donations to food banks.
Palmer, AK - Northwest/Nome District Extension Office
Extension district office for northwest Alaska, serving the Seward Peninsula and the reindeer industry from Nome.
Nome, AK - Sitka District Extension Office
Extension district office in Sitka that stayed open after a 2016 budget review of extension locations.
Sitka, AK - Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H Club
Sitka 4-H club that held its first 4-H Fair at the Sitka Farmers Market on July 30, 2016, judging food preservation, baked goods, produce, flowers, arts and crafts, art and presentations.
235 Katlian Street, Sitka, AK | 907-747-9440 - Tanana District 4-H
Interior Alaska 4-H district that co-sponsors the Tanana Valley State Fair market livestock auction.
Fairbanks, AK | (907) 474-2427 - Tanana District 4-H Fairbanks
Fairbanks-area 4-H office running livestock committee, teen club, Cloverbud camp and fair contests, with a published newsletter each season.
Fairbanks, AK Website - UAF Cooperative Extension Anchorage District Office
Extension outreach center offering agriculture and horticulture help, integrated pest management, nutrition and 4-H youth programs; walk-ins Monday to Thursday 9 to 4.
219 E International Airport Rd Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99518 | 907-786-6300 Website - UAF Cooperative Extension Delta Junction District Office
Extension office beside the Alaska State Troopers offering agriculture, horticulture, pest management and home and family programs, and organizing the annual Delta Farm Forum; phone is the Farm Forum contact.
1420.5 Alaska Highway, Delta Junction, AK 99801 | 907-895-4215 - UAF Cooperative Extension Delta Junction Office
Extension district office serving the Delta Junction farming area, where barley and hay are grown in the Interior.
Delta Junction, AK - UAF Cooperative Extension Juneau District Office
Extension district office for Southeast Alaska's capital area, one of ten district offices statewide.
Juneau, AK - UAF Cooperative Extension Kenai Soldotna District Office
Extension district office for the Kenai Peninsula, also home to Kenai Peninsula District 4-H and its annual Ag Expo.
Soldotna, AK Website - UAF Cooperative Extension Kodiak District Office
Extension district office serving Kodiak Island, with a local 4-H program and email contact for livestock shows.
Kodiak, AK - UAF Cooperative Extension Mat-Su Copper River District Office
Extension office hosting mandatory livestock informational meetings, record-book deadlines and fair wrap-up for Mat-Su Copper River 4-H.
Palmer, AK Website - UAF Cooperative Extension Mat-Su/Copper River District Office
Extension district office at the Matanuska Experiment Farm covering agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, integrated pest management, health and family programs, and 4-H youth development for the Mat-Su.
1509 S. Georgeson Dr., Palmer, AK | 907-745-3360
Plus 3 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Alaska directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.