U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the commitment of the National Guard Agri-business Development Teams’ work to revise agriculture practices and increase food production in war-torn countries like Afghanistan. The resolution has already received the backing of the entire Missouri House Delegationand 21 other members of the House.

“This resolution honors the members of the Agri-business Development Teams and National Guard for their outstanding efforts in modernizing Afghanistan’s agriculture industry,” Luetkemeyer said. “These men and women are helping improve Afghanistan after years of war, and I am pleased so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have agreed to recognize these efforts.”

The National Guard Agri-business Development Teams (ADTs) are comprised of Guard members who have a civilian background in farming or a related agricultural business who utilize those skills to teach Afghans sustainable farming practices. Before the groups arrive in Afghanistan they collaborate with farm bureaus and land- grant universities like the University of Missouri to prepare agriculture strategies for Afghan farms.

When the ADTs deploy to Afghanistan, they work with the Afghan farmers to provide basic agricultural requirements in growing crops like wheat and grapes in an effort to eliminate poppy production used in the drug trade.