Though many have farming backgrounds and participated in agriculture youth programs such as 4-H or FFA, some did not. Feucht, a member of the Columbia County Master Gardeners Association, wanted the team?s training to include farming practices, so he enlisted the help of the University of Wisconsin?s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
In July the soldiers and airmen attended an “Extreme Ag 101” course over 4 1/2 days. They visited a goat farm, fish hatchery and the Arlington Agriculture Research Station. They listened to lectures from experts on beekeeping, soil science, plant identification, goats, sheep and cattle, food science, grapes, irrigation and weaving. They tasted foods they?ll likely eat in Afghanistan, including kebabs and stews of chicken and lamb, prepared by a UW food science instructor.