Founding & Early Years (1993-2000)
In September 1993, Bob Hedlund— inspired by his time in Central Asia after the Soviet Union's breakup—founded JDA International as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Grand Junction, Colorado. Starting in Uzbekistan, we equipped emerging nations with tools for self-sufficiency, focusing on agriculture, education, and community health to build foundations for the future.
- Established operations in Uzbekistan to meet immediate needs in land, people, and opportunity.
- Emphasized local integration: Training farmers, providing clean water systems, and fostering economic growth.
Expansion to Afghanistan (2001-2020)
In 2001, with USAID funding, we opened a headquarters and agricultural center in Mazar-i-Sharif, northern Afghanistan. Over two decades, JDA became a key partner in transformational development, subcontracting on projects like USAID's Regional Agricultural Development Program-North (RADP-North) in provinces Baghlan, Balkh, Jawzjan, and Samangan.
- Agriculture: Improved wheat productivity via conservation techniques, 2-wheel tractors (enabling farmers to cultivate 5x faster), and introductions of strawberries and safflower. Boosted household incomes and food security.
- Clean Water: Drilled 74 wells and hand pumps, providing safe drinking water to 68,000+ people in northern Afghanistan.
- Infrastructure & Relief: Built roads, homes, irrigation systems; distributed food/non-food aid; ran self-help programs for poverty alleviation.
- Health & Education: Community health training, women's empowerment, and partnerships with universities like Balkh and Faryab for agronomy labs.
Our Afghan staff—local experts—ensured culturally sensitive implementation, aligning with community practices.
Recent Impact & Closure (2021-2025)
Amid the 2021 Taliban takeover, JDA led evacuation efforts for 568-600 Afghan collaborators and families via Special Immigrant Visas, relocating many to the U.S. (including ~70 to Grand Junction). In 2023, we launched the ARISE program (with Grand Valley Resettlement Program) for refugee support: tuition scholarships, job training, internships, and wage incentives for employers.
After 32 years, JDA is closing to ensure sustainable legacy. Our projects' seeds—resilient farms, flowing wells, empowered families—continue to grow.