Steve Berk (center) was awarded the third highest civilian non-combat award in Afghanistan. Berk is pictured with Ismail Katib (left) and Merle Parise (right), who are showing a collection of insect pests that affect crops in the area.
It’s been three years since Steve Berk left U.S. soil on a voluntary venture to represent the Farm Service Agency and USDA in Afghanistan and help with agricultural efforts.
Today, his efforts as a senior agricultural representative are paying off as Berk was awarded the U.S. Army’s Superior Civilian Service Award at a ceremony held in eastern Afghanistan.
Berk received the award for his support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It is the third-highest, non-combat award that a civilian can receive from the military, and was signed by General John R. Allen, commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.
The citation reads, “For superior civilian service, courage, and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone that greatly contributed to the success of the mission in Afghanistan. His hard work and tireless efforts reflect great credit upon himself, the combined civilian/military contingent, and the United States Central Command.”
Berk led an initiative to educate farmers how to cultivate improved wheat seed, which is of vital importance as seventy percent of the caloric intake of the Afghan diet comes from flour used to bake a flat bread called naan. Currently, wheat yields in Afghanistan are limited by the use of poor quality wheat seed. Lack of improved seeds at affordable prices limits the ability of Afghan farmers to increase wheat crop yields and jeopardizes Afghan food security.
The improved seed production project led by Berk first established the successful Afghan Wheat Growers Association, which provided training on innovative methods for planting, fertilization, irrigation, weed control, harvesting, and processing wheat seed. The project is now developing a strong agri-business association to give farmers the critical know-how necessary to build successful, farm-based, improved wheat seed enterprises.
In addition to the Superior Civilian Service Award, Berk has received the Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award, NATO’s Medal for Service Award, and the Commanders Award for Civilian Service. Recently promoted, he is currently serving as the USDA Senior Agricultural Representative at Regional Command North in northern Afghanistan. Berk recently began his third year in Afghanistan, having previously served from 2008-2009 in Paktika Province.
Berk is a career employee of the USDA Farm Service Agency, with 26 years of service.
