Agriculture Around the World

I have only been in the Indiana National Guard a little over a year and a half but so far I have enjoyed my experiences very much. Basic training was difficult to say the least but I love my MOS; a combat medic. I enlisted to help, so when I heard about the Agribusiness Development Team I was eager to learn more.

Agriculture is a major part of everyday life everywhere but especially in Afghanistan. The agriculture there used to thrive but after the impact of war that has not been the case.  Indiana Guardsmen along with other states have teamed up to form the Agribusiness Development Team.  The ADT journeys to Afghanistan to show farmers which crops to grow that are the most profitable, the most generative, and crops that will with stand the brutal environment. One such plant is the Forage Kochia, which tap roots can go twenty feet deep to reach water. This plant is nutritious for livestock as well. Before they leave, the Guardsmen have to also be trained.  So they go to Purdue to learn about the unique agricultural challenges of Afghanistan.  Purdue also has important ties with Afghanistan and some faculty go with the Guardsmen to help. This project with not only benefit these families livelihoods it will help their economy.

                I love agriculture; I am from a rural community.  I could never imagine living in the city. I take pride in where I live but the sad fact is Indiana ranks 49^th nationally in environmental quality! Most people think Indiana is miles and miles of cornfields, which you’d automatically think clean air but sadly no.  Indiana has one of the dirtiest air in the United States.  Along with negligent land use and economic development our state loses 100,000 acres of forest and farmland a year.  These issues really irk me. I want to live in a beautiful and healthy environment. I believe everyone should feel the same in wanting to fix this crisis. Together we can help our home and homes around the world.