The Kenai Peninsula District area includes 21 myriad communities with a total population of just over 60,000. The district serves communities from across Cook Inlet in Tyonek and throughout the peninsula, which is just south of Anchorage. Larger communities include Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Seward.
Many of the communities are accessible by road, but others can only be reached by air or boat. Oil, tourism and fisheries drive the economy, and the Kenai Peninsula is also the fastest-growing agricultural region in Alaska, with the number of farms increasing at almost three times the rate of the rest of the state.
Outreach includes agriculture and horticulture; home, health and family development; integrated pest management; nutrition; and 4-H and youth development.
Soil Testing and Interpretation
Visit our soil testing page for all the information you need to test your soil and interpret how much fertilizer you need (plus free online calculators).
Spruce Bark Beetles: What you need to know
Spruce Bark Beetles are making an impact on spruce trees across the Kenai Peninsula. Visit then type "bark beetle" in the search box in order to:
- learn what bark beetles are and how they damage trees.
- learn bark beetle groups in Alaska.
- learn signs and symptoms of bark beetle activity.
- learn potential bark beetle threats to Alaska.
- become familiar with the vocabulary of bark beetles.
For even more information, view this Spruce Beetle publication.
Upcoming events
Events
Mar 31
Contact organizer
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 12 – 1pm
The UAF Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension will host a series of hourlong lunch seminars. Presentations will focus on engaging people in a conversation about the issues their research surrounds, and will be relatively informal and friendly. Talks will be about 30 minutes long, with plenty of time for questions and conversations. Register using the or visit .
During these seminars, researchers will present ideas to inspire interdisciplinary collaboration and build relationships around Alaska&/ces/districts/kenai/39;s food systems.
Researchers and students at University of Alaska, other circumpolar institutions, and land-grant university Experiment Stations are invited to listen to IANRE researchers present ideas that spark curiosity and inspire new pathways forward.
While the seminars will focus on agriculture in the sub-Arctic and Arctic, the broader aim is to create a space for connection and dialogue, ultimately strengthening research across disciplines to support the circumpolar food system.
For more information, contact Laura Weingartner at lgweingartner@alaska.edu or 907-474-6009.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/kenai/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Bethel CES calendar, Bristol Bay/Dillingham CES calendar, Delta Junction CES calendar, Southeast CES calendar, Kenai/Soldotna CES calendar, Kodiak CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar, Northwest/Nome CES calendar, Sitka CES calendar, ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº/Tanana CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Apr 01
Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center Kerttula Hall 206
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 12 – 1pm
Join Jim Vinyard, UAF research assistant professor of livestock nutrition, as he explains the fundamentals and helpful information you might need to start raising sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, reindeer or other small ruminants for meat, milk, packing, fiber or companionship.
He will cover the basic requirements for each species for facilities, nutrition, reproduction, health and welfare. This class will be held in person at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Drive, Palmer, as well as via Zoom.
Register for both online and in-person attendance using the , or visit .
For more information, contact the front desk at 907-745-3360.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/kenai/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Bethel CES calendar, Bristol Bay/Dillingham CES calendar, Delta Junction CES calendar, Southeast CES calendar, Kenai/Soldotna CES calendar, Kodiak CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar, Northwest/Nome CES calendar, Sitka CES calendar, ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº/Tanana CES calendar, Tribes CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Apr 06
Contact organizer
Monday, April 6, 2026, 11am – 12pm
The monthly Kenai Peninsula 4-H District council/JML board meeting will be held at 43961 KBeach Rd Suite A, Soldotna. Attend in person or via the
Contact Cassy Rankin, program coordinator, with any questions or concerns at 907-398-3588 or crankin4@alaska.edu
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/kenai/8217;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Statewide 4-H calendar, Kenai Peninsula 4-H calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Events
Monday - Thur., 9 am - 2 pm
Phone: 907-262-5824
Email: soldotna.ces@alaska.edu
