The Mat-Su Copper River Cooperative Extension Service district office is located in Palmer, 42 miles northeast of Anchorage. The district is the size of West Virginia, covering a region stretching from Valdez in the south to Cantwell to the north.
It is the fastest-growing region in Alaska, with a population of about 116,000 with a diverse economy. It is considered Alaska’s agricultural heartland and world-famous for the giant vegetables grown there, as well as potatoes, oats, hay, greenhouse produce and sod. The offices are located on the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, a working research farm.
The district offers outreach programs in agriculture and horticulture; health, home and family development; integrated pest management; nutrition; and 4-H and youth development.
Upcoming events
Events
Sep 02
UAF online/virtual event
Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 12 – 1pm
Aging changes how people&/ces/districts/matsu/39;s bodies process food, build muscle, regulate blood sugar and absorb nutrients. Yet most nutrition advice stays general.
This free Zoom class is hosted by the UAF Cooperative Extension Service in Southeast Alaska. It explores the key biological changes that affect health over time and why many people hit a plateau despite &/ces/districts/matsu/8220;doing everything right.&/ces/districts/matsu/8221;
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of why personalized nutrition is often necessary to support long-term energy, resilience and well-being.
Register using the or visit .
For more information, contact Jasmine Shaw at&/ces/districts/matsu/160;jdshaw2@alaska.edu or 907-747-9440.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at&/ces/districts/matsu/160;amnorris2@alaska.edu&/ces/districts/matsu/160;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&/ces/districts/matsu/160;amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/matsu/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
Sep 10
Contact organizer
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 10:30 – 11:30am
Diverse flowers and wildflowers create better habitat for pollinators which provides benefits local flora and fauna. We will discuss pollinators and wildflowers that are more attractive to diverse insects than bird vetch. Then we will discuss strategies for controlling bird vetch and rampion bellflower when the goal is to maintain a diverse wildflower garden.
Gino Graziano is a faculty member at the ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº, Institute of Agriculture Natural Resources and Extension who does research and outreach on invasive species management, forest health and agricultural pest and weed management. His research team has done some research on bird vetch removal, interactions with pollinators and pesticide impacts on goals to plant wildflowers attractive to pollinators.&/ces/districts/matsu/160;
Where: Central Lutheran Church at 1420 Cordova St in Anchorage and Zoom - contact akwildflowers@gmail.com to register.
More information available at:
&/ces/districts/matsu/160;
Categories: Public events calendar - ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar
Sep 12
Contact organizer
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 1 – 4pm
Discover what 4-H has to offer! Join us for a fun, hands-on afternoon designed for the whole family. Kids can explore interactive STEM challenges, local agricultural displays, and natural resource projects while earning stamps on a special event "passport."
Whether you are a family looking to join a club, a youth eager to try something new, or an adult interested in volunteering, this is the perfect opportunity to meet local club leaders, see current youth projects, and ask questions. Come learn by doing! Admission is free, and drop-ins are welcome anytime, 1-4 p.m.
Location: UAF Cooperative Extension Office, 219 E International Airport Road, Suite 100, Anchorage
For more information, contact Larissa Wright-Elson, 907-786 6345 or lawrightelson@alaska.edu.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at&/ces/districts/matsu/160;amnorris2@alaska.edu&/ces/districts/matsu/160;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&/ces/districts/matsu/160;amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/matsu/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - ËÄ»¢Ó°Ôº, Statewide 4-H calendar, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar
Events
Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 907-745-3360
Fax: 907-745-6268
Email: matsu.ces@alaska.edu
We are located at 1509 S. Georgeson Dr. in Palmer at the Matanuska Experiment Farm. Find us with !