From Springfield To Kunar
“A group of about 60 Illinois National Guard soldiers is getting ready to spend a year in Afghanistan working with the country’s farmers,” AP reports.
“The guard says the 14th Agriculture Development Team is made up of soldiers from around Illinois. Their backgrounds and professions make them good candidates to help develop Afghan agriculture. They’ll work with farmers on their growing techniques and with government on agricultural infrastructure.”
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MISSION (via the unit’s Facebook page):
Mission: Support the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) counter-insurgency objectives by conducting Agricultural Support Operations in the Province of Kunar, Afghanistan that will revitalize and establish a strong, growing, and sustainable agricultural industry.
Intent: Coordinate agri-business development that: - provides basic agricultural needs and services - educates and trains farmers and ranchers - develops the Kunar Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and livestock from the provincial to the district level - provide food security thru high quality, abundant and affordable agricultural products - assist in development of sustainable, value-added enterprises that increase the economic well-being of the people
End State: The government of Afghanistan provides support to farmers in Kunar Province as the agricultural sector grows to become a solution to local food security and a viable participant in the world market for legitimate agricultural products.
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The Kunar Province.
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The Guard’s Agricultural Development Teams.
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The Guard’s press release:
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM DEPLOYS
Specialized group of Soldiers prepares to help bring food security to the Afghan people
SPRINGFIELD – A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 60 Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan as part of the 1st team of the 14th Agriculture Development Team (1-14th ADT). The ceremony for the 1-14th ADT will be April 25 at 10 a.m. in Building 10 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.
The Soldiers will deploy for one year to conduct agricultural support operations in Afghanistan that will revitalize and establish a strong, growing and sustainable agricultural industry. The team will provide basic agricultural needs and services by working side-by-side with Afghan government agriculture agencies and teaching and training Afghan Extension Agents and farmers.
The Soldiers deploying with the ADT are from all parts of Illinois. Many of them were specifically chosen for the mission based on their education and civilian background in farming.
“This mobilization illustrates the diverse skill sets and training of our Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and the variety of missions we support in today’s challenging international environment, as well as in our state and community,” said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. “This mission shows the unique nature of the citizen-Soldier. Many times our troops deploy overseas and are able to use their civilian experience to make the operation a success.”
Agriculture in Afghanistan accounts for 31 percent of the Afghan Gross Domestic Product and employs 78 percent of the overall 30 million people in the country. National Guard ADTs work to improve the functionality of Afghan governmental agencies that are needed to sustain a viable agriculture sector and to educate and train Afghan farmers in more modern agricultural methods and techniques. The changes will improve the quality of life and provide economic stability in the region.
Col. Fred Allen of Delavan, commander of the ADT, said he is excited to be part of such a unique opportunity.
“I always figured I would deploy a second time but would have never imagined it would be centered on what I did in my civilian career, said Allen. “As a life-long farmer, I have always loved the fact that the Army National Guard symbol of the minuteman included a farmer standing next to a plow.”
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Comments welcome.
Posted on April 22, 2011