ADT trains agricultural agent on demo farm

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Indiana National Guard’s 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team’s farm crew trained an Agricultural Extension Agent from Matun District on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Oct. 20.

During the training, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Paul Hellmich, an engineer from Greensburg, Ind., demonstrated gardening fundamentals in greenhouses that mimic horticultural farming to the agent, Nazifulla.

“It was nice to see an AEA actually come to Salerno and meet us on our demo farm, because I think it’s highly beneficial in teaching them how to do their job more effectively,” said Hellmich.

The ADT’s farm crew also showed Nazifulla compost pits, test plots, trees, a wheat field and chicken coop and answered questions he had throughout the training.

“The work Staff Sgt. Hellmich and the farm crew have done the last two months has really paid off,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyron McNeal, the ADT’s farm crew supervisor from Columbus, Ind. “The result of yesterday’s first AEA visit was a combination of American ingenuity and Afghan determination. We all look forward to future visits with other AEAs.”

When the visit ended, Nazifulla received soil testing kits to distribute to farmers in his district.

“I hope more extension agents show up for more training,” said U.S. Army Spc. Bradley Darling, an agricultural development specialist for the ADT, from Kokomo, Ind., “I know it would make a difference.”