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Students graduate from USDA course

  • Published
  • By Capt. Vince King Jr.
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  More than 50 students from Kapisa and Parwan provinces graduated from the Comprehensive Agricultural Course for Soils, Crops, Agronomy and Animal Sciences January 6.

The 20-week course, taught by Dr. Mike Gangwer, a Department of Agriculture soil scientist assigned to the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team, provided instruction on crop production, plant physiology, plant disease, Agronomy and animal science training, as well other skills.

According to Army Maj. Don Johnson, Bagram PRT civil military affairs director, the students who went through this course will be able to help others in their provinces to improve their farm production.

"The hard work and dedication demonstrated by the students emphasizes the commitment local officials have on improving the lives and increasing the prosperity of the people of their community," he said.

Deployed to Afghanistan for the past nine months, the 2005 Michigan State University doctorate graduate said he hopes to have instilled in his students the obligation to go out and take what they have learned to help their local farmers.

Throughout the course, Dr. Gangwer said he could tell the students were interested and had some knowledge of the subjects in discussion because of the type of questions the students asked.

He said, "I could [see] by the questions the students asked me, the professor, [that they were interested] because they were challenging me with this material. I was extremely pleased with the background they brought into the course as well."

Not only was he surprised, but he also mentioned that the level of questions asked were not of a entry level student.

According to Dr. Gangwer, the students were being taught at a 200 level, which is equivalent to college second year course.

"I didn't have to teach the basic periodical table of elements or basic chemical dynamics," said the doctor. "All of those lessons the students brought into the class."

Throughout the 20-week course, Dr. Gangwer introduced his students to different technology and ideas to aide in better developing their agriculture within their provinces.

In honoring the student's performance, the leaders from the provinces commended the individuals who were graduating. Leaders praised them on their dedication to their country and said that they must seize every opportunity possible; learn everything they can, and that they must be able to live on and continue building their agriculture.