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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2009 KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM DEPLOYS TO AFGHANISTAN MARCH 11A joint Kansas Army and Air National Guard team of approximately 60 personnel will be honored in a special ceremony Wednesday, March 11, as they deploy to Afghanistan for a year-long mission as an Agribusiness Development Team. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Great Overland Station, 701 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka. The public is invited to attend. Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson will join Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, at the departure ceremony to convey appreciation and thanks to the Guardsmen for their service to the state and nation. The team, under the leadership of Col. Eric Peck, is comprised of personnel with backgrounds and expertise in various aspects of the agribusiness field. They will work in conjunction with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, USAID, USDA, the Department of State and other agencies in Afghanistan’s Laghman Province to assist in building capabilities for increased agricultural production, training and services, and improving the safety of food and other agricultural products that are produced and distributed to the Afghan people. They will also assist in the development of sustainable agriculture and other related enterprises that will increase the economic well-being of the Afghans. “The Kansas National Guard is ideally suited to take on missions like this,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general. “Agriculture plays a large part in our state’s economy, so naturally the Kansas National Guard has several members involved in various aspects of the agribusiness industry. This mission is a great opportunity to share what we have learned and experienced with the Afghan people to help their economy grow and prosper.” The Kansas National Guard will be performing this mission in partnership with Kansas State University over a three year period to build continuity and relationships with local and regional Afghan individuals and leaders. The Agribusiness Development Team program is a joint effort of several federal government agencies and the National Guard. Information about the program and its goals can be found at http://www.army.mil/aps/08/information_papers/other/ARNG_Agribusiness_Development_Team.html -30- |
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