An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 14, 2011

Afghanistan: Indiana Guard members train farmers in Khowst

By Maj. Mary Shaw Combined Joint Task Force 1 - Afghanistan

KHOWST PROVINCE - Since November, more than 400 Khowst farmers have taken part in training focused on improving local knowledge of livestock nutrition and proper application of vaccines and medicine.

To help local farmers improve their situation and help bolster the economy, the Indiana National Guard's 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team sponsored classes taught by local livestock specialists from Sheikh Zayed University in Khowst City.

Khowst is heavily reliant on livestock and agriculture, but the region's propensity for drought and disease, as well as the security situation make this agrarian economy unstable.

Prior to developing this training, the ADT, along with the district Agricultural Extension Agents, assessed livestock issues in each district in order to design classes to meet the specific needs of the local farmers. For example, in Sabari district, the training focused on cattle health and nutrition while in Tani district, the farmers received instruction on raising goats and sheep.

"The practices that are being trained are not new concepts to the Afghan farmer, but tweaking existing practices," said U.S. Army Capt. Michael Brandt, the ADT's training program manager from Fort Wayne, Ind. "Afghan farmers currently feed wheat straw as fodder. By teaching to treat the straw with urea fertilizer, value is added to an existing practice that will have substantial benefit to the farmer and livestock."

Each course is six days long, and participating farmers leave with a tool-kit of equipment they'll need to take home.

The training has received overwhelmingly positive reviews not just from the farmers but also from district and provincial officials. Many district governors said they would like to see even more training on animal care.

"The training was perfect," said Nazifullah, the agricultural extension agent from Matun district. "These farmers will be expected to share their new-found knowledge with other livestock owners which will provide a link between their villages and the district veterinarians and para-vets.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air Force leaders from the 154th Air Expeditionary Wing pose for a photo during Talisman Sabre 25 in Northern Territory, Australia, July 24, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, which advances a safe and secure Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns.
Air Guard Demonstrates Critical Indo-Pacific Capabilities During Talisman Sabre 25
By Maj. Eve Derfelt, | July 31, 2025
BRISBANE, Queensland – Airmen from Hawaii, California, Guam, Idaho and Wisconsin Air National Guard units participated in Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s premier military exercise that underscored the U.S. Air National Guard's...

South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025. Service members from the SAF and the SDNG spent ten days sharing critical skills in survival, navigation, and patrolling. This successful collaboration is a part of the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP).
South Dakota Guard, Suriname Armed Forces Strengthen Partnership
By Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell, | July 31, 2025
PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces, or SAF, strengthened their partnership during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18.Service members from the SAF...

Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on July 17, 2025. As part of the Caribbean Regional Training Camp, activities included zeroing, firing from different positions, march-and-shoot practice, and a march-and-shoot competition. The District of Columbia National Guard's (DCNG) partnership with Jamaica, facilitated by the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program (SPP), promotes security cooperation through military engagements and interagency collaboration.
D.C. Guard Tests Skills With Jamaican, Barbadian Forces
By Senior Master Sgt. Jason Melton, | July 31, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard; Jamaica Defence Force, or JDF; Jamaica National Reserve; and Barbados Defence Force Reserves recently participated in the Caribbean Regional Training...