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April 2025
A monthly update for AgrAbility projects and friends of AgrAbility
| | The 2025 NTW is in the books. Thank you to all who attended and to those who helped plan and conduct the NTW! It wouldn't come together without all of you. | | |
A total of 193 attendees were able to pick from 48 different sessions. There were many great discussions and networking interactions that took place. Sixty-two farmers were in attendance, and staff were able to bring 36 of them on stipend. Tiffany Sanchez shared her story as the keynote. The auctions and raffles were a big success, raising just over $9,000 for next year's stipends. Thank you to all those that donated and made bids on items.
The application to host the 2026 NTW was sent out. For SRAPs interested in hosting, please return that application by May 1st. If interested in being on the planning committee for 2026, please contact Tess before May 1st. Tess McKeel - tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org -585.447.9015; or JoBeth Rath - jbrath@goodwillfingerlakes.org - 585.402.2059
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AgrAbility/North Central FRSAN webinar: "A Changing Way of Life: Ambiguous Loss and Farming," Wednesday, April 23, 3:00 p.m. EDT. Building resilience is a proven strategy when facing adversity, but what if that adversity isn’t as cut-and-dry as something like a death, a sale, or a financial change? More
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NAP is planning a regional workshop in Shipshewana, IN, on June 17-19 that will focus on working with Old Order cultures. To be on the planning committee, please let Tess know.
NAP would love to host a regional workshop with you. If interested in hosting, please contact Tess tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org or JoBeth jbrath@goodwillfingerlakes.org, for more information.
The monthly Extension check-in continues the second Wednesday of the month at 3 p.m. Eastern. This is a great opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from peers, and continue to build the strong network within the AgrAbility program. Email Samantha Wolfe at wolfesa4@msu.edu with questions or ideas. More
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NAP continues to feature SRAPs on its social media platforms for one week each. The most recent was Missouri AgrAbility, and the Iowa affiliate program is scheduled next.
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Receiver-hitched to most any type of vehicle (truck, skid steer, UTV), this Towable Remote-Controlled Forklift (called Tow-A-Lift) can be transported where needed and over various types of terrain. With hand-held joystick-equipped remote, the user directs the unit to pick up, lift (to a maximum height of 8 feet), and move up to 3,500 pounds of cargo.
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This month California AgrAbility's program manager, Esmeralda Mandujano, attended the annual AgrAbility National Training Workshop. She connected with members of the agricultural community and joined colleagues to present on critical topics including stress in agricultural occupations, farmworker occupational health, and the mental health challenges faced by farmworkers in the United States. More
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Several Florida AgrAbility staff members presented and served as panelists at the 2025 AgrAbility National Training Workshop in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Attendees had high engagement and interest and benefited from valuable discussions and sharing of information. More
Serap Gorucu presented a Florida AgrAbility program overview and updates to the Florida Rehabilitation Council at their quarterly meeting. They will continue collaborating on programs and facilitating connections.
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Tara Dorn participated in an outreach event at the Florida 4-H Day at the Capitol, in Tallahassee, FL. This interactive booth reached over 800 individuals, youth, and adults, from across the state.
Danny Bost presented "Accessible Beekeeping" to participants from across the state at the UF/IFAS Bee College in Gainesville, FL. He demonstrated assistive technology, covering additional tools available for beekeepers' use, and discussed Florida AgrAbility's current initiative to develop or modify existing tools to fit specific needs.
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Team members Vanessa Spero and Tara Dorn and participants of the Florida AgrAbility Roots to Work training program participated in a plant fundraiser event at the Brevard County Extension Office in Cocoa, Florida. This outreach booth reached over 200 individuals and highlighted the Roots to Work program, which trains young adults with disabilities in the agricultural field, and other opportunities in Florida AgrAbility.
| | The GA AgrAbility veteran coordinator, along with a fellow veteran and member of the UGA Extension team, were graciously hosted by Columbus State University (CSU) to provide Mental Health First Aid for Military, Veterans, and their Families to staff and faculty in order to increase awareness to military culture and the importance of recognizing mental health challenges within communities. Nineteen members of the CSU team are now certified Mental Health First Aiders! | | |
Mental Health First Aid continues to be a large focus as staff continue to provide essential training to their communities to recognize the signs, symptoms, and proper responses to those experiencing mental health challenges. Team members provided Mental Health First Aid for Adults to members of UGA Extension at the Gordon County Extension Office in Calhoun in March.
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The 4th annual Farm Stress Summit was held in Statesboro, GA, on March 13, bringing together farmers, advocates, and state leaders to address the critical challenges facing the agricultural community. The discussion emphasized the importance of community support and access to resources to help those in agriculture navigate stress and uncertainty.
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In conjunction with non-profit partner the Shepherd Center, staff hosted a two-day training for occupational and physical therapists to teach them how to work with farmers and ranchers. The two-day workshop was held in Savannah, Georgia, with the first day being classroom instruction and the second day being farm tours.
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Twenty-eight new UGA agriculture Extension agents were given a 20-minute presentation on safety programs and AgrAbility resources available for the farmers in their counties. Georgia AgrAbility is involved in the new agent training each year to ensure that agents know about programs that are available to its farmers.
As part of Georgia AgrAbility's focus on serving veterans, the Farm Boot Camp Program hosted a webinar on March 20th focused on meat cuts. The farmers served are very interested in selling meat directly to the consumer, so the webinar was aimed at helping them understand the different meat cuts they can sell.
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Thank you, New Mexico AgrAbility, for being such a wonderful host for the NTW! Georgia AgrAbility presented in conjunction with Michigan AgrAbility about accessible farm shops. Staff had a wonderful time networking with all the other states!
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The Veteran Farmer Conference is scheduled for Shipshewana, Indiana, on July 11-12, 2025, and invites military veterans and their caregivers from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan to take part. This is the first time the conference will be held in Shipshewana, and it's being organized in collaboration with Veterans IN Farming, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), Michigan State University Extension, and other regional partners committed to supporting veterans in agriculture. More
Veterans IN Farming has launched a new podcast, now available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube. Each episode runs 15 to 20 minutes and highlights products, services, funding opportunities, and veteran farmer stories from across the region. More
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ME AgrAbility program staff members Toni Small and Bella Russo both completed the Mental Health First Aid training.
ME AgrAbility program staff members Toni Small, Brie Weisman, and Bella Russo contributed four presentations at the 2025 National Training Workshop including "Who's Got Your Back," "Ergonomic Friendly Farming," "Working Waterfront Cultural Competencies," and "Rural State, Lean Team." The team had a great time presenting and learning.
"Apple Tree Pruning" was hosted by Program Coordinator Bella Russo in conjunction with county ag staff. A variety of pruning and pruning-related tools were covered in addition to pruning techniques. A small demonstration of orcharding tools was provided.
The quarterly advisory council meeting was held in late March. Council members look forward to hearing about what AgrAbility program staff learned and new ideas formed at the National Training Workshop.
Maine AgrAbility staff tabled at the ME Fishermen's Forum held in early March. Program staff talked to over 100 attendees about the program and passed out pinky massage balls, posters, and brochures. More
The Maine AgrAbility team released the first edition of the "Stretches for Limber Loggers" poster. The poster demonstrates eight stretches that can be done on a logging worksite for loggers throughout their workday. More
Program staff have begun work on a ME AgrAbility client-focused documentary that highlights their shift to solo lobstering from working with a crew. This client is ergonomically designing a new lobstering boat to fit his needs working on the water. AgrAbility will be highlighting this client's journey as a success story.
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Michigan staff and clients really enjoyed the sessions and tours at the NTW - as well as the blue New Mexico skies and sunshine! - and they thank the NM, conference committee, and NAP staff for another fantastic event.
It was a busy month leading up to the NTW, with presentations to the Farm Women's Symposium and Southeast Michigan Fruit Growers spring meeting.
In early March, Ned Stoller attended the Ag Ideas for Tomorrow conference in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he connected with a vendor selling potted plants who told him about a grower client who had recently received a double lung transplant. The vendor took AgrAbility information along to share, and later, NAP received a message from the transplant recipient's wife looking for more information. More
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Fourteen individuals from Missouri participated in the 2025 AgrAbility National Training Workshop held in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This diverse group included representatives from MUE, LUCE ISFOP, BIA-MO, MO DSS-RSB, a physical therapy company, an exoskeleton vendor, and eight MO Client Farmer Ambassadors. More
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This month, collaborative partner Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (ISFOP) has been busy implementing AgrAbility education, networking, and marketing initiatives. Here are some of the key activities: More
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During March 2025, in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, Missouri AgrAbility was featured in each "Brain Injury Fact of the Day," reaching an impressive audience of 13,230 people. This effort led to over 6,000 rural residents gaining increased awareness of Missouri AgrAbility. More
Maureen Cunningham, the executive director of BIA-MO and co-principal investigator for Missouri AgrAbility, presented valuable information about Missouri AgrAbility to her colleagues at the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) National Conference, which took place on March 4-5, in Washington, DC. More
MO AgrAbility was featured at the BIA-MO Networking Coffees for Professionals held in Springfield and Kansas City. On March 11, Lesa Queen, a small farm worker from collaborative partner LUCE ISFOP, presented in Springfield, while Maureen Cunningham talked about Missouri AgrAbility in Kansas City on March 12. More
On March 20, the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) organized a lunch 'n learn webinar focused on the causes, effects, and resources related to brain injuries, with a special highlight on MO AgrAbility. The live session attracted twenty participants, and a recording will be made available shortly on the MRHA website for rural healthcare providers, farmers, and others interested.
The BIA-MO Survivor and Family Seminar- Southwest Missouri, held on March 22, featured Missouri AgrAbility as a key program partner. Over 1,000 residents of Missouri, including 250 farming families, gained insights into the services offered by MO AgrAbility.
The "Get Schooled on Concussions" initiative in Missouri, in collaboration with MO AgrAbility, was showcased at the BIA-MO/Missouri AgrAbility exhibit during the Missouri Association of School Nurses Conference held on March 28-29. More
On March 31, an exhibit featuring BIA-MO and MO AgrAbility took place at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital in St. Louis. Numerous staff and patients attended the event to engage in conversations about brain injury, while Maureen Cunningham provided insights and resources about MO AgrAbility.
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The NMAP Team is gratified to have met so many farmers, ranchers, and SRAP members at the 2025 National Training Program in Las Cruces, NM. Staff hope everyone had an enchanting time.
Five NMAP team members, Julianne LaJeunesse, Carmen McClelland, Patricia Siegel, Mary Thelander, and Sophie Trusty, presented at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop. Eight of our team members attended the conference and completed various hosting responsibilities - they hope they had a chance to talk with everyone in the hospitality suite.
NMAP conducted a meeting with its board of advisors on 3/24. Resulting from that meeting, staff are shoring up plans for their Day at the Farm event in fall 2025 and for training with various Extension programs and rural community organizations.
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AgrAbility PA delivered a "Managing Stress on the Farm" webinar on March 5th for farmers via Penn State University Extension Zoom. AgrAbility PA staff also delivered another "Managing Stress on the Farm" workshop in person for the Master Gardener group in Lancaster, PA. on Saturday, March 30th. This group is working with the urban agriculture community.
Staff also participated in the NAP Zoom meeting on March 10th.
Members of staff from AgrAbility PA attended the NTW conference in New Mexico.
| | South Carolina's new associate, a graduate student, and the principal investigator (PI) recently traveled to New Mexico to attend the AgrAbility National Training Workshop. This event provided a valuable opportunity for professional development and team building. More | | |
Thank you to everyone who contributed to another impactful and educational AgrAbility National Training Workshop (NTW) in Las Cruces, New Mexico! A special thanks to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum for hosting this year's NTW. More
Twelve delegates from Tennessee attended the 2025 NTW, including seven farmers supported by stipends from Farm Credit Mid-America-thank you for your generous sponsorship!
Spotlight on TN Presenters:
- Nathan Fields (Plant for a Change) presented the poster "Mobilizing an Inclusive, Accessible Conservation Workforce." More
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TN Surprise Highlight: Jason Barber was quoted and featured in the New Mexico AgrAbility exhibit, and his ChatGPT demonstration - encouraged and videoed by JoBeth Rath (National AgrAbility) - can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACw-8xRjrEA.
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In partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation and the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers, TN AgrAbility promoted 2025 Ag Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Week - March 3-7 and the 2025 ASAP Week theme: "Planting Safety, Growing Wellness" through its social media sites. The initiative highlighted critical health and safety practices to protect agricultural workers and families.
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TN AgrAbility participated in the 6th Annual Lauderdale County Master Gardeners' Expo. TN AgrAbility spoke to 15 attendees about accessible gardening tools and the TN AgrAbility project.
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Charley Jordan, TN AgrAbility/AgVOLs veteran advocate, hosted his first therapeutic horticulture activity for 2025 at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, Tennessee during National Horticultural Therapy Week 2025. The participants learned a bit about horticultural therapy, the importance of stretching, and how to make a little bonsai garden for themselves. More
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TX AgrAbility staff attended the AgrAbility National workshop in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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TX AgrAbility conducted farm assessments in early March in the Seguine area. Three farms were visited - from a beginning farmer to established farmers. More
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AgrAbility of Utah staff set up a vendor table and presented at the Box Elder Conservation Fair in Tremonton, Utah, on March 6. The staff was excited to meet with many of the 130 farmers and ranchers who attended.
Thank you, New Mexico AgrAbility, for the outstanding job in hosting this year's NTW and making it a memorable and enjoyable event! Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
| | In March, AgrAbility Virginia had strong visibility at several large events, where over 250 students at Amelia County Middle School 4-H Day and more than 670 attendees at VSU's Ag Fest were introduced to AgrAbility Virginia alongside other agricultural programs. | | |
Jeremy Daubert and Roberto Franco participated in the 2025 Farm Safety Day in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The event teaches kids about farm safety, including silo safety, skid-steer safety, and gun safety, among others. More
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Jeremy Daubert, Dr. Kim Niewolny, and Roberto Franco presented a session titled "Farm Dinner Theaters: A Cultural Community Development Approach to Farm Safety and Mental Health Education" at NTW. The team was also proud to bring two Virginia farmers to the conference.
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Easterseals Wisconsin's FARM program director, Jeff Kratochwill, coordinated a video production that shares the story of success for AgrAbility of Wisconsin client John Mitchell. The video is available on the Easterseals Wisconsin YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjRvFtdFPNU. More
Outreach Program Coordinator Michelle Bachand exhibited at the Eau Claire Farm Show on March 4th and 5th. The Eau Claire Farm Show annually draws nearly 10,000 farmers to learn about opportunities for their farms.
AgrAbility of Wisconsin staff and Wisconsin farmer Alan Kaltenberg had a fantastic time attending this year's National Training Workshop and look forward to next year!
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An algae bloom has invaded Lake Victoria, turning the waters green. To address the health and safety concerns of fishing communities in and around the lake, AgrAbility for Africa staff have prioritized educating residents about algae and cyanobacteria, including how to keep themselves and their animals safe. More
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Darin Chapman will be coordinating the Indiana AgVets Certification and Internship Program, a partner with Indiana AgrAbility that focuses on promoting resources and internships to military veterans pursuing a career in agriculture. He is an Air Force veteran and farmer/property manager with experience in farming, timber, hunting contracts, honeybees, pastured pork, and poultry. More
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Click titles below for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects.
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Click titles below for other news of interest to AgrAbility staff members.
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