Extension Helps Reserve Unit Understand the World’s Most Important Protein Source

As someone with more than a decade of military experience, including the last two years with an Army Reserve Civil Affairs unit, William Landis knows that building trust and understanding with communities around the world often starts by understanding the animals they raise and depend on for food.

“Goats are the most common protein source in the world,” said Landis, a small farms agricultural and natural resources agent with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T as well as a member of the 422^nd Army Reserve Civil Affairs Battalion based in McLeansville. “You can build rapport with local populations and support farmers by understanding these animals.”

The 422^nd reserve unit is just one Interstate exit away from N.C. A&T’s University Farm, where goats and other livestock are cared for by Extension staff with experience in small ruminant care and production. With expertise, and actual goats, so close by, Landis decided to connect his reserve unit to Extension to help them understand the basics of raising goats. He contacted Animal Sciences Specialist Emily Cope, Ph.D, about a one-day program on goats for his military unit. They collaborated with Andrew Weaver, an Extension small ruminants specialist at NC State University, to offer a program on the farm to introduce the members of the Civil Affairs Battalion to the university’s goat herd.

Members of the 422nd Army Reserve Civil Affairs Battalion at the goat program brought about by William Landis, far right.

Meat goat production is North Carolina’s fastest growing livestock industry, and the state ranks eighth in the nation in meat goat production. The farm houses the major small ruminant meat breeds that are raised in North Carolina, including Boer, Spanish, BoerXSpanish and Pygmy goats.

Sixteen members of the unit received a baseline introduction to goats through hands-on demonstrations and presentations on Sept. 9. Members of the unit also visited the Castle Hayne Horticulture Research Station near Wilmington, operated by NC State, to continue their education on animal and vegetable crops.

“The mission of the civil affairs units and Cooperative Extension are very similar,” said Landis. “Extension has more of the subject-matter specialists and the people in the military are out in the field. Extension can provide a baseline of knowledge on animal and vegetable crops, nutrition, health and safety, and disease.

“But most importantly, they (Battalion members) know who they can call when they have questions.”