Grapes for Afghanistan

Wines & Vines, Sept, 2004 by Larry Luxner

Other partners in the Roots of Peace consortium are the Afghan Center, a local resource center for Afghan Americans in Fremont, Calif.; Agland Investments, a private consulting agribusiness firm; and the private organizations Global Partnership for Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Development Association.

The Kuhns say they've raised the largest private U.S. de-mining donation in Afghan history facilitating agricultural development. Roots of Peace, working with 120 Afghan de-miners who earn around $150 a month, has already funded the removal of more than 100,000 landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in the Shomali Plains north of Kabul.

"This transcends borders and religion. It's the roots of humanity, the soil that gives dignity to farmers, and the grapevine is such a powerful symbol," Heidi Kuhn said. "When you talk to Afghan farmers, they'll talk about memories of their childhood. A generation or two ago, they walked through these vineyards, and they know the scent, the smell of fresh grapes. It evokes such a sense of beauty and pride."

Roots of Peace has received substantial help from various Napa Valley wineries including Robert Mondavi Winery and Silverado Vineyards.

Diane Disney Miller, who with her husband Ron owns Silverado Vineyards, said her financial contributions to Roots of Peace are an investment for the future of civilization. "Every dollar you put into getting the mines out of the ground is going to help save a life," said Miller, the only surviving child of Walt Disney. "It's not filtered through some huge bureaucratic process, it's going directly to Afghanistan. I can't think of anything else that seems like such a good investment."

Although the Kuhns are devout Catholics, Heidi Kuhn says her group is strictly nondenominational. "Whether you're Muslim, Christian or Jewish, there is something so sacred about the soil, and de-mining the soil takes the hatred out," she said, pointing out that both churches and synagogues throughout California have become active in the organization.

Roots of Peace isn't active only in Afghanistan. It has also de-mined six villages in Croatia and revived the wine industry there. In addition, the organization has helped plant wheat in Iraq, and rice and soybeans in Cambodia--all in areas formerly riddled with landmines.

"We can, in our lifetimes, turn ideas into reality," Heidi Kuhn said. "There's really nothing special about me or my family. But if others can emulate this, we can truly turn our swords into plowshares."

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