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 ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ, with a population of about 116,000 with a diverse economy. It is considered ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ’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
Mar 25
Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center Kerttula Hall 206
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 10 – 11am
This two-hour, hands-on workshop introduces seed starting for the Mat-Su climate using soil blocking. Participants will learn seed selection, planting schedules, and how to care for soil blocker trays. The workshop includes seed varieties proven to perform well in Mat-Su Valley growing zones, plus hands-on use of soil blockers and trays with clear dome lids. Soil and amendment recommendations will be provided so participants can confidently start seeds at home.
This class will be offered in two locations:
March 18: 6-8 p.m. at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Drive, Palmer.
March 25: 6-8 p.m. at the APU Spring Creek Farm Campus.
Please register each person individually using or visit . *Space is limited.*
For more information, contact the Mat-Su Experiment Farm 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/matsu/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Mar 25
UAF online/virtual event, Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center Kerttula Hall 206
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 12 – 1pm
Did you know the sap that comes from birch trees is a healthy beverage? We will discuss how to tap the birch trees in your backyard, how to store the sap safely and how to make birch syrup.
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. Please use for either option or visit .
For more information, please contact the front desk at the Matanuska Experiment Farm, 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/matsu/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - Fairbanks, 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, Fairbanks/Tanana CES calendar, Tribes CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Mar 26
Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center Kerttula Hall 206
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 6 – 8pm
This two-hour, hands-on workshop introduces seed starting for the Mat-Su climate using soil blocking. Participants will learn seed selection, planting schedules, and how to care for soil blocker trays. The workshop includes seed varieties proven to perform well in Mat-Su Valley growing zones, plus hands-on use of soil blockers and trays with clear dome lids. Soil and amendment recommendations will be provided so participants can confidently start seeds at home.
This class will be offered in two locations:
March 18: 6-8 p.m. at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Drive, Palmer.
March 25: 6-8 p.m. at the APU Spring Creek Farm Campus.
Please register each person individually using or visit . *Space is limited.*
For more information, contact the Mat-Su Experiment Farm 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/matsu/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Events
Monday -10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch 11:30 a.m.-12 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 !