Agricultural infrastructure in Afghanistan and Iraq

Dear Colleagues,

Secretary Vilsack convened a discussion yesterday with leading Land-Grant University representatives to discuss the critical need to rebuild the agricultural infrastructure in Afghanistan and Iraq. He indicated that USDA is seeking accomplished research and extension professionals willing to participate in an integrated team to assist in this important effort. I am passing along the information below to you so that you can access the information directly if you are interested.

Dan Dooley
Senior Vice President

To the leaders of our U.S. Land-Grant Institutions:

Once again, thank-you to those who joined Secretary Vilsack today to discuss how we can work together to contribute to the U.S. Government's mission in Afghanistan and Iraq.

To apply for jobs in Afghanistan or Iraq, please direct employees to visit www.usajobs.com and search under the keywords of "USDA Iraq" or "USDA Afghanistan."

Your employees may also learn more about the work in each country by visiting www.usda.gov/afghanistan or www.fas.usda.gov/country/Iraq/development/iraq.asp or by contacting Bobby Richey of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.

Contact:  Bobby Richey
Assistant Deputy Administrator
Office of Foreign Service Operations
Foreign Agricultural Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
E-mail: Bobby.Richey@fas.usda.gov
Voice: 202-720-8832

As the Secretary highlighted during the call, agricultural experts are doing great things in Afghanistan and Iraq. If your staff is willing to serve abroad in these harsh environments for at least one year, we know that they will undergo a positive, life-changing experience. Therefore, we encourage each of you to reach out to your respective communities – academic, research, extension, alumni and retirees – and encourage all experienced and eligible individuals to apply.

Specializations such as natural resource management and conservation, crop production and post-harvest management, animal husbandry and extension are vital to mentoring and building the capacity of Afghans and Iraqis in their respective agricultural institutions. At the same time, agricultural experts often find themselves in fluid situations requiring flexibility and a willingness to tackle issues that may fall outside their sphere of expertise. Therefore, the most important traits are a positive outlook, maturity and people skills.

We appreciate the support that many of you have demonstrated in the past, and we ask for your support once again in helping to revitalize these significant agricultural economies.

Thank you.

On behalf of

James Miller
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

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