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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
 CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, MOSUL, Iraq - Iraq, once a fertile land, has been devastated by drought, war and neglect. Farmers in Ninewa province are looking for relief from a government program called Greenhouse Demonstration, some structures called hoop houses, and an American called "Farmer Fred".
Fred Woehl, an agriculture specialist for the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team, has brought hope to the people of Qaraqosh, Nimrud, and Al Qosh through greenhouses, tractors and seedlings.
Before coming to Iraq, Woehl worked in Harrison, Ark., as a Farm Loan Manager for the Farm Service Agency and US Department of Agriculture. Over the course of a year, Woehl has forged relationships by addressing the needs of Iraqi farmers and working with the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture and the Ninewa General Directorate of Agriculture to build greenhouses in the province.
Recently, the PRT held a lottery for the Greenhouse Demonstration, a grassroots organization whose goal is to aid farmers. Lottery recipients in Qaraqosh, Nimrud, and Al Qosh will receive greenhouses - or hoop houses, as they're locally known - along with training from the Ministry of Agriculture. In return, the farmers will repay a portion of their agricultural profits back to the agriculture associations to help fund additional greenhouses for its members.
The simple design of the metal and plastic hoop house uses the heat from the sun to create a controlled environment to extend the growing season. The farmers of Qaraqosh are excited about Greenhouse Demonstration and hope it will spread to the rest of the Ninewa province. This Qaraqosh group is the first agricultural organization in Iraq diverse in gender, religion and culture.
In Nimrud, farmers formed together in hope of creating a better life in their neighborhood. Recipients of six hoop houses decided to place the structures at one location so they can work together, and provide better security.
Nimrud remains one of the most violent towns in Ninewa. U.S. Forces recently constructed a floating bridge across the Tigris River to make travel easier for USF, Iraqi Security Forces and civilians in the area. The agricultural association there, headed by two shaykhs, one Sunni and one Shi'a, agreed the bridge was very positive for the neighborhood even though attacks have increased since it was built. Association members told Woehl they would report any suspicious activity surrounding the bridge - another sign of the PRT's successful relationship with Nimrud.
As one meeting began, the Sunni shaykh brought his nine-month-old daughter to sit on Woehl's lap. His relationship with the shaykh and his agriculture organization has grown since the birth of this child, with Woehl feeling welcomed into the shaykh's house as a member of the family. He has built similar friendships in the Shi'a community.
"Since the beginning of the war, we are proud to be friends with the U.S., and especially, Farmer Fred," said the Shi'a shaykh.
Agriculture in Iraq has been neglected for many years, and under Saddam, farmers were told what they had to grow. Once the hoop houses are completed, the General Directorate of Agriculture will show the organization how to successfully make the most use of them. The farmers will soon grow tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, egg plant and okra.
"We are very optimistic about the future of Iraq. We, like everyone else, want a better life for our people," said the Sunni shaykh.
In Al Qosh, Yazidis, Muslims, and Christian farmers met to discuss the future of their organization and inspect the hoop houses. Women from an all-female agricultural group swarmed Woehl, asking him about opportunities to grow flowers and start their own businesses, while arguing amongst themselves, "We can't do this - Yes, we can!"
The recent unification, enthusiasm and efforts of the farmers throughout Ninewa province, supported by Farmer Fred's commitment and passion for the people, has instilled a sense of confidence in the farmers here to overcome their many challenges.
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