Guard team to aid Afghan farmers

[unhappycamper]

Guard team to aid Afghan farmers
By John Milburn - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 27, 2009 20:41:32 EST

FORT RILEY, Kan. — They call themselves “combat farmers,” and most members of a 64-soldier team from the Kansas National Guard heading to Afghanistan have deep agricultural roots.

For the next year, the soldiers will use their farming expertise to assist Afghan farmers and ranchers trying to rebuild crop and livestock production after more than 30 years of war.

Col. Eric Peck, leader of the team, said Friday that the mission isn’t unlike what the National Guard does within Kansas after a natural disaster.

“We’re just stretching it beyond the borders of Kansas. That’s not a bad thing in a global economy,” said Peck, 52.

Similar teams from Missouri and Nebraska have gone to Afghanistan. Two more Kansas teams will follow Peck’s group over the next few years.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_ksguardafghanag022709/%2e