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By the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – U.S. Soldiers delivered seeds and plastic to farmers in the town of Busayefi April 26, in an effort to revitalize agriculture in the area 10 kilometers southeast of Baghdad.
Members of the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div., delivered 180 kilograms of seeds and 304 rolls of plastic to members of the Busayefi town council, who distributed them to 282 farmers.
The plastic is used to make greenhouse shelters, which encourage vegetables to grow in a hot, arid climate.
Sheikh Salah, the Busayefi town council chairman, led the distribution along with the council's agricultural chairman. Members of the Sons of Iraq provided security for the event, along with Soldiers of Troop B, 6-8th Cav. Regt.
Though funding for the project comes from the 3rd Infantry Division commander's emergency response program, Iraqi leaders led the way in identifying problems and distributing resources.
"It puts an Iraqi face on the project," said Col. James W. Adams, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., from Middleton, Tenn.
"As we go into different areas and stabilize communities, we look to identify key leaders and begin organizing them," he said. "Then we use money as a munition to increase stability in the neighborhoods."
CERP funds are intended for community and infrastructure improvements. Local council members have identified several priorities, including a new school, fresh-water well and agricultural projects.
Adams hopes that progress and improved living for citizens will also make for a safer, more secure future.
"We want to show them when al-Qaida is gone, things get better," he said.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2008 16:28 |
| Story ID: | 18962 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 294 |
| Downloads: | 271 |
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