Biography

“Peace on Earth” is an appropriate phrase during this holiday season. Achieving peace and security around the world takes the dedication of many, including USDA employees.

For example, in November I traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq to view efforts to rebuild agriculture in those countries. I was able to see firsthand what a difference USDA employees and programs are making.

In Afghanistan, where we have provided over $42 million in food aid, donated U.S. wheat is made into bread at local bakeries, providing employment to women and bread at reduced prices to those who need it. Wheat, rice, lentils, and vegetable oil donated under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program will provide take-home food rations to 37,000 school children and several hundred teachers in western Afghanistan. U.S. powdered milk will go to more than 20,000 children. Some donated commodities are sold locally and the proceeds are used to finance rural development projects.

In addition, three USDA employees with wide-ranging experience in forestry, conservation, and the development of cooperatives have been assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Teams, or PRTs, which are deployed nationwide. We are also providing technical assistance to help establish an Afghan Conservation Corps that will provide jobs in restoring soil and water resources for thousands of unemployed Afghans.

It was most telling to see so many people in Afghanistan show so much appreciation for the American presence there and say to us, “Please don’t leave.”

In Iraq, I was struck by the squander of the enormous potential of the country in terms of human and natural resources. Iraq has a long agricultural tradition. For example, wheat was cultivated for centuries, well before the time of Christ, but the sector suffers from decades of isolation, neglect, and outright terrorism by Saddam Hussein, who often cut off water to some of the most productive agriculture areas.

USDA has donated over $100 million to Iraq in food aid to help this once productive country feed its people and rebuild its infrastructure. One of our employees knows about that rebuilding effort firsthand. Iraq’s Minister of Agriculture calls USDA’s Danny Woodyard, a reservist from Arkansas, a hero. Early on Danny went in and found the appropriate people to contract with to rebuild the agricultural ministry, which had been badly damaged during the war.

The work we do around the world is critical to the well-being of so many. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to these efforts to help fight the War on Terror and bring “Peace on Earth” and security to all people.

May your holidays be merry and joyful and best wishes for a very happy new year .•