Minnesota soldiers will have support back home
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 09/22/2011 8:42 AM
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INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — Minnesota National Guard's first team headed to Afghanistan specifically to support farmers has a lot of support waiting back home.
The 135th Agri-Business Development Team formed partnerships with private industry, the non-profit sector, academia and government to learn more about agriculture topics in preparation for their mission.
"We realized we could not do it on our own and we need the help of others," said Army Col. Eric Ahlness, 135th ADT Commander.
These partnerships will be valuable while they're in Afghanistan. Twelve of the 22 team members have agriculture-related expertise, but that doesn't mean they'll know the answer to every problem in the field, said Davin Fischer, public affairs and intelligence officer for the 135th ADT.
If they come across an issue they don't know how to solve, they have contacts in place for who to call or e-mail for help.
As a producer-owned cooperative, CHS Inc. got involved by setting up a panel of cooperative development specialists to give the soldiers a 2.5-day training relating to the structure and function of cooperatives. They discussed challenges involved with starting a cooperative in Afghanistan as part of a value-chain for agricultural goods.
"We truly want to do what's in the best interest for our country and military," said Pat Kluempke, executive vice president of CHS corporate administration, during a briefing of the mission Sept. 8 at CHS' headquarters in Inver Grove Heights.
Other partnerships include the USDA andMinnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who helped the team connect with people in California to learn about the production of almonds, table grapes and raisins. North Dakota State University taught them about veterinary science, crops and soil sciences. They visited an Amish community to learn about sustainable farming methods that can be used without electricity. Compatible Technology International, a non-profit organization in St. Paul, can give advice if they have questions about post-harvest processing and water issues.
In Afghanistan, the team will work withissues of irrigation, horticulture, animal husbandry and agri-business education. To help the farmers market their products, they want to develop a marketing chain. They will meet with village elders to discuss the farmers' issues, work with demonstration farms and support agriculture seminars.
They'll be advised during the mission by USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Food security is so low where they are going that people could die if crops fail, so they have to have solid training and the right focus, said Col. Ahlness.
Six of the soldiers on the team are women that will work specifically with widows, the most economic disadvantaged group in the Zabul Province, where the team will be stationed with other soldiers.
"After 30 years of war, there's a lot of widows who are struggling," said Col. Ahlness.
The team will provide Afghan widows with 12 laying hens, two roosters, a two-month supply of feed and classes on poultry management and kitchen gardens so they can take care of themselves and their families.
"You actually need a woman to address the women," said Capt. Cheryl Wachenheim, a member of the 135th ADT and a professor in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University.
Leila Poullada of St. Paul, who lived in Afghanistan for five years, said the team's mission is exciting because if they can help farmers, perhaps the Afghan people will come to admire Americans again.