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Agriculture Development Team stands up operations in Zabul Province; Arkansas Guardsmen apply farming experience to benefit Afghan development

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Keith Moore
  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs
QALAT, Afghanistan --  Agriculture Development Team stands up operations in Zabul Province; Arkansas Guardsmen apply farming experience to benefit Afghan development. Coalition forces in Zabul Province gained a new tool in the agricultural redevelopment process this month as the Zabul Agriculture Development Team stood up its operations here.

The ADT, made up of approximately 60 members of the Arkansas National Guard, arrived in the provincial capitol earlier this month and have been establishing relationships with governmental leaders, agencies, organizations and military representatives who all have a stake in redevelopment throughout Zabul province.

"Our team is excited about assisting with agriculture education, training programs and projects throughout the province," said Col. Stephen Redman, ADT commander. "But these relationships are vital in determining how we can best integrate our experience and expertise in with programs and operations that are ongoing,"

The ADT members bring formal education and practical farming experience in such areas as soil science, irrigation and water management, large and small animal health, poultry production, crop and farm management, marketing, storage and public health.

The ADT's mission includes implementing agricultural education and training programs at farm level that will support the Zabul Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock's five-year development plan for the province.

The principle objectives contained in the plan focus on training and education for Afghans to serve as district level agriculture extension agents; training in water management and irrigation along with crop and livestock development programs.

The agriculture specialists have begun work at two demonstration farms in the province where they will focus their education and training programs through a "hands-on" approach with local farmers.

The 188th Fighter Wing deployed three unit members with the ADT, including Maintenance Squadron commander, Lt. Col. David Sheely, who is the team leader for the ADT's agricultural specialists.

"We arrived somewhat late in the growing season to benefit many farmers this year," Sheely said. "However, we feel that the education and demonstration of different agricultural practices such as crop rotation and drip irrigation can not only help the farmers in the off-season but better prepare them for future seasons."

Sheely is joined on the ADT by Master Sgt. Paul Fair, who is the assistant chief of the 188th Civil Engineering Squadron's Fire Department. Tech Sgt. Justin Mankins, a firefighter with the 188th Fire Department, is also a member of the ADT.

The team's demonstration farm plots are located in Sha-Joy and Shahr-e-Safa. In conjunction with the farms, the team plans to develop information centers in area bazaars where local farmers can pick up information and learn about the "hands-on" training available at the ADT's farm plots.

Redman says that success for his ADT Team will be measured by the number of Afghan farmers their education and training can positively impact.

In addition to their work at the demonstration farms, the ADT members visit the bazaars and markets to discuss fruit and produce directly with the growers.

"Farmers are farmers all over the world," Sheely said. "One thing we know is that we like to talk about the stuff we grow, or the trouble we had trying to grow it."

Sheely added that the best information on crop production comes right from the grower, not from a survey.

Redman says the ADT's long-term objective is to develop a sustainable agricultural education program utilizing Afghan farm extension agents in order to improve the production capability and overall quality of life for Zabul's farmers and herdsmen.

Agriculture Development Team stands up operations in Zabul Province; Arkansas Guardsmen apply farming experience to benefit Afghan development

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Keith Moore
  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs
QALAT, Afghanistan --  Agriculture Development Team stands up operations in Zabul Province; Arkansas Guardsmen apply farming experience to benefit Afghan development. Coalition forces in Zabul Province gained a new tool in the agricultural redevelopment process this month as the Zabul Agriculture Development Team stood up its operations here.

The ADT, made up of approximately 60 members of the Arkansas National Guard, arrived in the provincial capitol earlier this month and have been establishing relationships with governmental leaders, agencies, organizations and military representatives who all have a stake in redevelopment throughout Zabul province.

"Our team is excited about assisting with agriculture education, training programs and projects throughout the province," said Col. Stephen Redman, ADT commander. "But these relationships are vital in determining how we can best integrate our experience and expertise in with programs and operations that are ongoing,"

The ADT members bring formal education and practical farming experience in such areas as soil science, irrigation and water management, large and small animal health, poultry production, crop and farm management, marketing, storage and public health.

The ADT's mission includes implementing agricultural education and training programs at farm level that will support the Zabul Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock's five-year development plan for the province.

The principle objectives contained in the plan focus on training and education for Afghans to serve as district level agriculture extension agents; training in water management and irrigation along with crop and livestock development programs.

The agriculture specialists have begun work at two demonstration farms in the province where they will focus their education and training programs through a "hands-on" approach with local farmers.

The 188th Fighter Wing deployed three unit members with the ADT, including Maintenance Squadron commander, Lt. Col. David Sheely, who is the team leader for the ADT's agricultural specialists.

"We arrived somewhat late in the growing season to benefit many farmers this year," Sheely said. "However, we feel that the education and demonstration of different agricultural practices such as crop rotation and drip irrigation can not only help the farmers in the off-season but better prepare them for future seasons."

Sheely is joined on the ADT by Master Sgt. Paul Fair, who is the assistant chief of the 188th Civil Engineering Squadron's Fire Department. Tech Sgt. Justin Mankins, a firefighter with the 188th Fire Department, is also a member of the ADT.

The team's demonstration farm plots are located in Sha-Joy and Shahr-e-Safa. In conjunction with the farms, the team plans to develop information centers in area bazaars where local farmers can pick up information and learn about the "hands-on" training available at the ADT's farm plots.

Redman says that success for his ADT Team will be measured by the number of Afghan farmers their education and training can positively impact.

In addition to their work at the demonstration farms, the ADT members visit the bazaars and markets to discuss fruit and produce directly with the growers.

"Farmers are farmers all over the world," Sheely said. "One thing we know is that we like to talk about the stuff we grow, or the trouble we had trying to grow it."

Sheely added that the best information on crop production comes right from the grower, not from a survey.

Redman says the ADT's long-term objective is to develop a sustainable agricultural education program utilizing Afghan farm extension agents in order to improve the production capability and overall quality of life for Zabul's farmers and herdsmen.