Agriculture Team’s Training Creates Buzz in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service ^ | 1st Lt. Lory Stevens, USA

[SandRat]

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, June 22, 2009 – Representatives from Zinzee and Turkman villages, along with staff members from Al Bironi University, journeyed here June 13 for a day of activity that had them buzzing with questions.

A member of the Task Force Warrior agriculture development team points out the behavior of bees during training on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 13, 2009. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Lory Stevens  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Army Staff Sgt. Erik Singsaas, intelligence sergeant of the Tennessee National Guard's Task Force Warrior agriculture development team, provided classroom and hands-on training about bee anatomy and beehive care to the many guests on hand.

“The training was offered in support of Task Force Warrior’s recent Commander’s Emergency Response Program projects that placed over 400 beehives and equipment in Parwan and Kapisa [provinces],” Singsaas said while explaining plans to provide similar future training.

Singsaas covered multiple topics in the classroom, including bee anatomy and behavior; hive design, care and management; processing honey and wax; catching a swarm; bee-sting care; vectors; and benefits of pollination to crops.

Agriculture equipment was on display, and the team provided demonstrations for the Afghans during the classroom training.

“The Afghans had many questions, and were very interested and grateful for the information,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Eldon Kuntzelman, an agronomist with the team. He added that he believes the Afghans gained knowledge and will use the new hives to their potential.

The team’s research on beehives here provided an opportunity in the afternoon for Afghans to use equipment and work on hive maintenance.

“This training puts actual working agricultural products in the hands of Afghans, and trains confident and capable individuals to work within the scope of bee projects,” Singsaas said.

(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves with the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)

Related Sites:
U.S. Forces Afghanistan
U.S. Forces Afghanistan on Twitter
U.S. Forces Afghanistan on Facebook
U.S. Forces Afghanistan on YouTube

Army 1st Lt. Brandon Burton and Army Staff Sgt. Erik Singsaas of the Task Force Warrior agriculture development team pose for a picture with Afghans from Parwan and Kapisa provinces attending agricultural training on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 13, 2009. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Lory Stevens   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!
If you would like to be added to / removed from FRWN,
please FReepmail Sandrat.

WARNING: FRWN can be an EXTREMELY HIGH-VOLUME PING LIST!!