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abc_123 · 07-27-2009, 04:58

This is good stuff. Program championed and run by the NG. Run from a little office with about 6 people in it to include the COL in charge. The methodology is to take people from farm belt states and in general agriculture backgrounds and leveraging that as part of the COIN effort. It's not sexy and it's not a quick fix, but IMHO this stuff is better than smoking a couple of TB any day of the week...even though you have to do that to enable stuff like this.

Mods please move if there is a better thread to put this in.

http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2009...9-Farmers.aspx

By Elizabeth Raney
4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Capt. Jeffrey Mann, a soil scientist and National Guardsman from Manhattan, Kan., with the 2-130th Field Artillery Battalion out of Hiawatha, Kan., currently serving with 1-6th Kansas Agribusiness Development Team, Task Force Mountain Warrior, teaches students from Nangarhar University how to test soil for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium using chemical tablets, soil and water. Photo by Elizabeth Raney 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs
download hi-res photoLAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (7/22/09) -- Guard members from the Kansas Agribusiness Development Team of Task Force Mountain Warrior conducted an agricultural development class here at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam's district Research and Demonstration Farm, July 12-16.

The five-day class coordinated with members of the U.S. Agency for International Development, taught students from Nangarhar University more effective farming techniques so that they may teach the current and next generations of Afghan farmers.

"These classes are designed to teach future agricultural leaders modern techniques of growing, irrigating, harvesting, and preserving their crops, as well as taking better care of their livestock," said, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Roger Beekman, the ADT commander.

Beekman began the instruction with classes on food storage and preservation, and sanitation.

Fellow instructors taught additional farming techniques, such as irrigation, soil management, care of livestock, preventive veterinary medicine, and pest management.

A favorite among the Afghan students was the hands-on soil management class, given by U.S. Army Capt. Jeffrey Mann, a soil scientist from Manhattan, Kan.

"The students loved to dig into and analyze the soil samples," said Mann. "They were very curious about the chemicals used to separate the nutrients from the soil and asked many questions."

Beekman said that he felt the classes would have long term positive effects on agriculture in Laghman.

"If these students take just some of these ideas and work with local farmers, who will then put them into practice, we'll see a more productive and efficient farming society in Afghanistan," said Beekman.

More Links to related articles.

New Webpage on Agriculture Development Teams

http://www.ng.mil/features/ADT/default.aspx

Five governors meet with ADTs in Afghanistan

http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2009...2409-Five.aspx

07-27-2009, 04:58	#7
abc_123 Quiet Professional Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 2,307	This is a good example... This is good stuff. Program championed and run by the NG. Run from a little office with about 6 people in it to include the COL in charge. The methodology is to take people from farm belt states and in general agriculture backgrounds and leveraging that as part of the COIN effort. It's not sexy and it's not a quick fix, but IMHO this stuff is better than smoking a couple of TB any day of the week...even though you have to do that to enable stuff like this. Mods please move if there is a better thread to put this in. http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2009...9-Farmers.aspx By Elizabeth Raney 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Capt. Jeffrey Mann, a soil scientist and National Guardsman from Manhattan, Kan., with the 2-130th Field Artillery Battalion out of Hiawatha, Kan., currently serving with 1-6th Kansas Agribusiness Development Team, Task Force Mountain Warrior, teaches students from Nangarhar University how to test soil for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium using chemical tablets, soil and water. Photo by Elizabeth Raney 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs download hi-res photoLAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (7/22/09) -- Guard members from the Kansas Agribusiness Development Team of Task Force Mountain Warrior conducted an agricultural development class here at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam's district Research and Demonstration Farm, July 12-16. The five-day class coordinated with members of the U.S. Agency for International Development, taught students from Nangarhar University more effective farming techniques so that they may teach the current and next generations of Afghan farmers. "These classes are designed to teach future agricultural leaders modern techniques of growing, irrigating, harvesting, and preserving their crops, as well as taking better care of their livestock," said, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Roger Beekman, the ADT commander. Beekman began the instruction with classes on food storage and preservation, and sanitation. Fellow instructors taught additional farming techniques, such as irrigation, soil management, care of livestock, preventive veterinary medicine, and pest management. A favorite among the Afghan students was the hands-on soil management class, given by U.S. Army Capt. Jeffrey Mann, a soil scientist from Manhattan, Kan. "The students loved to dig into and analyze the soil samples," said Mann. "They were very curious about the chemicals used to separate the nutrients from the soil and asked many questions." Beekman said that he felt the classes would have long term positive effects on agriculture in Laghman. "If these students take just some of these ideas and work with local farmers, who will then put them into practice, we'll see a more productive and efficient farming society in Afghanistan," said Beekman. More Links to related articles. New Webpage on Agriculture Development Teams http://www.ng.mil/features/ADT/default.aspx Five governors meet with ADTs in Afghanistan http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2009...2409-Five.aspx __________________ The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing Last edited by abc_123; 07-27-2009 at 05:14.
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