Fall 2021 E-Newsletter
Farmer Highlight - David King
David is a cattle farmer in Bland County who was born with cerebral palsy. He has a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to help him get around the farm, though he still has trouble getting on and off his tractor to open cattle gates. AgrAbility Virginia visited his farm in the spring to assess his farming operations and offer support. Staff recommended automatic cattle gate openers so he didn't have to dismount his tractor to get into his fields. Staff assisted him in applying for funds from the Easterseals UCP Bellows Fund and then helped install the technology in the summer. Click here to hear his story.
What's new with AgrAbility Virginia?
It's Conference Season!

AgrAbility Virginia staff are attending multiple in-person and virtual events this fall and winter. Staff participated in the virtual Mid-Atlantic Urban Ag Summit, presenting on how AgrAbility can support urban farmers. Part of the team traveled to Georgia for the Sunbelt Ag Expo in October to represent Virginia alongside other state programs and help tour the Virginia State University Mobile Education Unit. Staff also had an exhibitor booth at the annual Brain Injury Association of Virginia conference in Roanoke on November 6th and plan to be in Tennessee for the Farmer Veteran Coalition eastern region conference, then Roanoke again for the Small Farms Conference.

Follow our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up to date on where we are! If you want to recommend a conference or event AgrAbility Virginia could attend, contact Liza Dobson at liza.dobson@eastersealsucp.com or 540-418-5796.
Staff Highlight: Field Coordinator Tony Edwards

James T. (Tony) Edwards is one of the AgrAbility Virginia field coordinators as well as the veteran coordinator for the Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) at Virginia State University. He served 27 plus years in the United States Army. Tony attended Lincoln University of Missouri, where he received a degree in agriculture and his commission in the U.S. Army. Tony received his Masters Degree in Logistics Management from Central Michigan University. He is located in the Richmond area and focuses on veteran and beginning farmer clients.

Click here to hear how he supports Virginia farmers. To learn more about Tony and meet our other field staff, click here.
Partnering with VCE 4H for Youth Message on Social Media

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) intern Zoey Van Peppen collaborated with the AgrAbility Virginia team to create a PSA and introduction geared towards toward 4H youth. The video will be shared across social media with a focus on Instagram. Watch the full video here.
The AgrAbility Assistive Technology Fund
AgrAbility Virginia promotes safety, wellness, and accessibility on the farm through education, rehabilitative services, and assistive technology. Easterseals UCP, an AgrAbility Virginia partner agency, organizes the Assistive Technology Fund as an avenue to support this mission.
Want to donate to the Assistive Technology Fund?

1) Write a check to Easterseals UCP with "AgrAbility Virginia" written in the memo section and mail to:
Easterseals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
201 East Main Street
Salem, VA 24153

2) Call our office to donate over the phone with a credit card: (540) 777-7325

3) Click the orange button below to link to our online donation page.
Follow Us on Social Media for More Frequent Updates
AgrAbility Virginia | Garland Mason, Program Coordinator & Co-Director
540-231-4582 | AgrAbilityVA@vt.edu
AgrAbility Virginia is funded by AgrAbility Project, USDA/NIFA Special Project 2019-2022 (41590-22326) and administered by Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Easterseals UCP North Carolina/Virginia, Inc. and Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA, United States.
AgrAbility Virginia Partner Agencies
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