Helmand River

Green farmland on the west side of the Helmand River







Dry desert on the east side of the Helamd River








Good view of both sides of the river








Yes, those are my toes sticking out the side of the helicopter, and yes Mom, I was wearing my seat belt.

U.S. Seeds New Crop to Supplant Afghan Poppies

Check out this Wall Street Journal article about the effort to improve agriculture here in Helmand.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125021357982431177.html

Now in Helmand

I am now working in the Helmand Province. This province is plauged with poppy production and drug lords. The province accounts for nearly half of the wolds poppy production. We are working with the Afghan Government to encourage farmers to invest in crops other than poppy.

Helmand also has an interesting history with the United States. USAID worked on several irrigation and power projects here in the 1960s and a large population of Americans were living in the city of Lashkar Gah. So many that this area was called "Little America". Many of the older Afghans remember this and tell me how the Americans helped them so much in the past.

Ghor Province

As a traveling USDA advisor, I am now working in the Ghor province of Afghanistan. This is one of the most remote and rural places in Afghanistan. I am working with the Lithuanian PRT here in the province. This area really reminds me of western Nebraska, the landscape is eerily similar. Hope you enjoy pictures of this province.


Here a some boys that wanted to show me their ox. there are no tractors in this area, all farming is done by ox or by hand. Think about that while you aer sitting in you air conditioned John Deere.


Many of the families have a cow that they use for milk. most of the milk is turned into yogurt so that it keeps longer without refrigeration.

Here is a group of boys that wanted their picture taken. They really enjoyed showing me all of their animals.

There is a major river that flows through the valley.

Afghan laundry mat....Here is a group of women washing clothes.

I am assuming this is Lithuanian humor...a mortar shell vase for my plastic flowers

More Great Pics from Dubai

Sun and sand







A sign telling me not to put my hand in the tank full of piranhas







Sand, sand everywhere









Dubai Skyline

Dubai

Me Standing in front of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai stands at 2,684 feet.









Additionally Dubai claims the largest mall in thworld, the Duabi mall. they have a very nice aquarium in there as well.









I went on a desert safari and rode around in the sand dunes it was alot of fun, but awful damn hot.

Fun with Goats (you can start the jokes now)

This is combing the cashmere out of the goats hair. This is a great way for Afghan farmers to make some extra cash. And next time you buy a $200 cashmere sweater, think about the nasty goat it came from.






Ok, someone must have made a joke, because I look like I am having way too much fun with this goat.