USDA Video on Iraq

Check out the USDA Video. Yeah I am in it.

http://www.fas.usda.gov/

Leaving Iraq

I have finished my year in Iraq. I have seen giant spiders, played with chickens, ate more dates and lamb than ever before, and survived dust storms. I have seen and done things that I never imagined myself doing. I gained many new friends, both Iraqi and American. I was a great year, and I am thankful for that. However, it is not the end of my time as an Agricultural Advisor.......

I am leaving for a new adventure in Afghanistan where I will serve as the Agricultural Advisor for the Paktya PRT. I have set up a new blog to chronicle my time there. http://www.huskerbrewii.blogspot.com/

Diyala Ag Team

The Diyala Agriculture Team has done some great things is this province in the last year. There were many members over the past year and eveyone of us worked very hard to advance agriculture in Diyala. They all gave up at least a year of their lives to serve in one of the most difficult places in Iraq. I greatly appreciate their sacriffice, their hard work and most importantly their friendship.

The throne was given to Saddam by Yasser Arafat. If you look closely at the top of the chair you see the Quran. Inscribed on the page is a verse from the holy book, the verse reads: In the name of God the merciful and gracious, Glorifies who traveled his servant by night from Mecca to Jerusalem. Written on the arch: Victory from God and conquest is soon. You can also see a patterned “head dress” like symbol in the background. The pattern of the scarf is “Al Ghetra” which was worn by Arafat.

Saddam's Palace

These are pictures of one of Saddam's Palaces. Notice the great golf swing!

The Generation of Change

Pictures of the people who will really change Iraq.

Iraqi Food

I love to eat, and I love to eat good food. One of my favorite things about my assignment to Iraq were the meals I had with the Iraqis. Like rural people around the world, the farmers I worked with are some of the best hosts and share everything they can provide with you. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the food.

Co-ops

You have all read about the Poultry co-op and the work I have done with them the past year, but we worked with many co-ops in Diyala. Co-ops allow the farmers to help each other to be successful without relying on the government for support. They have the opportunity to create their own success, something they did not have in the past. Some of the groups we worked with are: The Central Iraqi Beekeeper Association, the Diayla Farmers Union, The Zuhairat Date Co-op, The Abu Basal Vegetable Co-op, and the HibHib Poultry Co-op.

My Chicks Layed Eggs

On my last visit to the HibHib Poultry co-op I was able to see result of the chicks that we started with 19 weeks earlier. They had finally begun to produce eggs. The Co-op is now able to sell those eggs in Baghdad and start to make a profit from the time and money they invested.

Sheep and Goats

Sheep and goats are a key part of Iraqi and Diyala agriculture. Focks are everywhere, the are in the harsh scrub land or in the busy city. Lamb and goat is a staple of the Iraqi diet.

Livestock are also a sign of wealth and every farmer I met was very proud of his animals.

Praying for Rain

This is one of my favorite pictures from my time in Iraq, this was taken during a meeting with farmers in the Hashmia Al Bada village. We were talking about the lack of water and rain and how that was preventing them from farming. As we spoke every farmer was running his prayer beads through his hands. I think it just goes to show you that farmers are similar no matter what language they speak.... at some point they all pray for rain.

Mustache Contest

Here is a picture of some of the contestants of the Diyala PRT Mustache Contest. Needless to say, I didn't win that one.

RISK

On PRT Diyala we experienced something of an epidemic addiction to the computer version of the board game RISK. Numerous games were played over the course of the last 6 months. I don't want to say that I was the best, but I have defeated 2 Colonels, 2 Majors, a Sergeant Major, 2 Infrastructure Team Leaders, an Ag Advisor and numerous others. We will let the record speak for its self.

For all of you RISK enthusiasts, taking Australia is the cowardly way to win.