iraq news 11405

Groundbreaking on An Najaf Co-Op
Pictures at www.blackanthem.com


Lt. Col. Jim Oliver, commander of Task Force 198 Armor, pauses for a photo with the land owner that donated the land for the new Farmers Cooperative that is under construction as a part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team's "Amber Waves" program, designed to help local farmers help themselves. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)
Blackanthem.com, FORWARD OPERATING BASE DUKE, An Najaf, Iraq, November 04, 2005



At a recent ground breaking ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Oliver, commander of 1st Battalion, 198th Armor, headquartered in Amory, Miss., and other members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team, (BCT) headquartered in Tupelo, Miss., met with the board of directors of the CO-OP and discussed what the future holds for the local farmers of Najaf and the surrounding area.

On hand for the ceremony were members of the 155th BCT’s "Operation Amber Waves" team, Captain Jesse Cornelius and 1st Lt. Robert Sayle. Cornelius and Sayle have brought with them a vast knowledge on farming and agriculture. Sayle, from Walls, Miss., is the son of a farmer in the delta, and Cornelius, of Tupelo, Miss., is a vocational agriculture teacher at Nettleton High School in Nettleton, Miss.

"This is a great day for the people in this area." Cornelius said. "They will be able to come here for the things they need to have a successful farm. Although only limited supplies will be here right now, they should be able to get seed, fertilizer and other basic needs soon."

The 155th BCT’s Amber Waves team collected seeds from generous donors from Mississippi and Tennessee and presented what they had to Mr. Mehdi Malih, the Secretary for the Thul al-Fakkar Farmer’s Association. The Thul al-Fakkar Association is from the Kufa district of Najaf and is made up of a group of vegetable farmers. Approximately fifty pounds of seed consisting of pepper, lima beans, string beans, assorted peas, corn and watermelon was presented to Mr. Malih.

"The leaders listed 6 things in their mission statement," Sayle commented. "Provide jobs for poor farmers and provide land for farming, increase the profitability of business of the farmers and the price for their produce, and market products to export in Iraq and elsewhere. This will bring a better quality of life for the farmers." He continued by adding, "We are also helping the people of the area pursue a source of canning and processing vegetables, ensure job security of jobs for the citizens of Najaf province and provide tractors and equipment for farmers to share."

Soon, there should be farm implements and tractors, with other basic needs of farmers centrally located at the new Co-Op in Najaf.



By SFC Kevin W. Reeves
155th Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs NCO
www.ngms.state.ms.us/155th



ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:



Local leaders and members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team are on hand for the ground breaking for their new Farmers Cooperative that is under construction as a part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team's "Amber Waves" program, designed to help local farmers help themselves. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)
Lt. Col. Jim Oliver, commander of Task Force 198 Armor, is interviewed by local Iraqi media at the ground breaking for their new Farmers Cooperative that is under construction as a part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team's "Amber Waves" program, designed to help local farmers help themselves. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)
The local leaders and members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team are on hand for the ground breaking for their new Farmers Cooperative that is under construction as a part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team's "Amber Waves" program, designed to help local farmers help themselves. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)
The governor of Najaf and other local leaders are on hand for the ground breaking for their new Farmers Cooperative that is under construction as a part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team's "Amber Waves" program, designed to help local farmers help themselves. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)
Iraqi men of Najaf are presented seeds for use in their new Farmers Cooperative that is under construction as a part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team's "Amber Waves" program, designed to help local farmers help themselves. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)