Kentucky Service Members Help Afghanistan Grow

PANJSHIR PROVINCE - The Kentucky Army NG and Air Guard united to form Kentucky's first joint ADT in August 2009. This specialized unit is made up of service members from different backgrounds throughout the state of Kentucky.

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Around 80% of Afghanistan's populous is connected to the agriculture industry. Since Aug., the ADT has spent their deployment educating the local farmers and govt on how to increase productivity, increase their market share and manage natural resources in Parwan, Panjshir, Kapisa and Bamyan provs. As a result of their work, the production of potatoes and onion has greatly increased in the Bamyan prov. Lt. Col. William Ewing has a degree in Entomology, and has been working with the Agricultural team during his deployment here. "The Afghan people can grow a lot of crops," said Ewing. "They're actually producing more than they consume or export, and we are teaching them how to export and store their crops longer." With the ADT's help, pomegranate farmers in the Tagab district of the Kapisa prov. were able to export their crops to India and Dubai. Because they exported to these countries, they received 3 times their normal price for the crops. Educating the people on natural resource mgt has been a key point of the ADT. Irrigation and reforestation advances should greatly improve agricultural production in Afghanistan. AF Staff Sgt. Ray Norris, assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., grew up on a family farm and volunteered to deploy with the ADT. Norris spent some time in the Yakalong district of the Bamyan prov., where there's an eroded canal that provides water to about 800 family farms. "There aren't many orgs. in this area helping the people," said Norris. "We're working to get the materials so the people can make repairs themselves." Army Col. Mike Farley, cmdr of the ADT is glad to be a part of this important and unique mission. "We're here to help the people increase the nutritional value in the country and sustain a better and healthier lifestyle," said Farley. The ADT has also been working to teach the women techniques to improve their home life. Sgt. Jo Lisa Ashley is the ADT's women's empowerment coordinator for the team. "Most women here work at home; they take care of their families and the household duties," said Ashley. "I'm working with them on projects that they can do at home to bring in extra income."

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