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August 2025
A monthly update for AgrAbility projects and friends of AgrAbility
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Contingent on approval of NAP funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the NTW is currently scheduled be held at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, MI, on March 16th-19th. NAP is not able to sign a contract yet, but the hotel is holding those dates. The committee is moving forward with planning details in the hope that a confirmation of funding will be received soon.
Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is planning to hold a regional workshop in eastern NY in conjunction with NY FarmNet that will include invitees from NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, and MA. Staff are looking at a late October/early November timeframe. If interested in helping to plan this event, contact Tess McKeel, tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org; 585.447.9015.
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AgrAbility NTW Encore Webinar Series: “Low-vision Smartphone Assistive Technology” with Ned Stoller and Jason Barber. Wednesday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m. EDT. More
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NAP Veteran Outreach Coordinator Joe Ricker led a veteran farmer conference in Shipshewana, IN, that brought together military veterans, beginning farmers, and a collaborative team of organizations for a two-day event focused on agricultural education, community building, and veteran support in July. More
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NAP is continuing to offer up to 100 complimentary copies of of AgrAbility: 30 Years of Impact if the SRAP agrees to pay for shipping. Contact jonesp@purdue.edu interested.
The AgrAbility/Extension check-in will be held on Wednesday, August 20, at 3 p.m. EDT. Join the call to share updates, questions, and camaraderie. Email Samantha at wolfesa4@msu.edu with any questions. More
Newly archived virtual events:
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With a Bobcat MaxControl Remote System, one is able to operate/control the loader's functions and attachments from outside the machine's cab via iPhone or another iOS device. This means that the need to climb into the skid-steer cab is eliminated, and many tasks normally requiring two persons can now be handled solo, including backfilling, post digging, trailer/truck loading, rock picking, and gate opening. (The system is available on new machines or can be retrofitted on certain older ones.)
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California AgrAbility Program Manager Esmeralda Mandujano recently presented to Syngenta representatives from across North America. The presentation focused on sustainability and human factors in agriculture,... More
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The rural rehabilitation specialists with the Colorado AgrAbility project have been diligently working with farmers and ranchers to support their physical health and wellbeing.
In the past month, staff were able to present at a workshop titled "Balancing Wellbeing, Finance and Market Success in the Farm" at the Colorado State University SPUR campus. More
Since the beginning of 2025, Colorado rural rehabilitation specialists have completed 10 farm and ranch worksite assessment reports through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), each recommending assistive technology devices tailored to the needs of AgrAbility clients. More
CAP's upcoming events include two Spanish-speaking workshops delivered by one of the specialists, Hannah Cefalo, as well as Ricardo Garcia from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. These presentations meet ag workers where they are by traveling to and presenting at feedlots in rural north-eastern Colorado to avoid disrupting their workdays. More
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Staff participated in the Brevard disAbility Fair, hosted by the Resource Center for Disability Solutions to reach new audiences for youth and transition-age programming and adult client services. Recent program graduates from the Roots to Work - Florida AgrAbility - UF/IFAS training program, which introduces young adults with disabilities to careers in the agricultural sector, volunteered to assist team members.
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Indiana AgrAbility is busy staffing a display at the Indiana State Fair, which began August 1 and ends August 17. Located in the FFA Pavilion, the booth features an accessible tractor from LifeLyfts, various assistive technology devices, and a number of AgrAbility-related publications and video clips.
Some of Indiana AgrAbility's veterans were featured in a two-part podcast from INDATA (Indiana Assistive Technology Act Program) on July 18 and July 25. The host was Josh Anderson from IN AgrAbility's partner Easterseals Crossroads. More
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Program staff presented for the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center virtual information webinar in mid-July. An overview of FishAbility services was provided and recorded for attendees.
Program Coordinator Bella Russo attended the Maine Farm Resource Network in-person meeting in Augusta. A group of many farm service providers discussed how to combine expertise and address pressing issues for farmers across the state.
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The Michigan AgrAbility team met with a unique project for veterans - the Veteran Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Farm at the VFW national home near Lansing. Ned Stoller provided information about AgrAbility and its mission.
Extension Educator Samantha Wolfe co-presented with the farm stress team for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's supervisors. There were over 100 people in the room and many acknowledged that they had heard of AgrAbility.
Samantha also attended the local Disability Network chapter's DiversAbility day, where adaptive outdoor recreational items were on display, and made great connections with vendors who shared valuable insights and resources for inclusive recreation.
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EksoBionics donated an EksoEvo shoulder support exoskeleton for Michigan AgrAbility to demonstrate with farmers and at events. (Image courtesy of Ned Stoller.)
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MU Extension, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE), Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (ISFOP) ,and Show-Me Farm Safety are showcasing Missouri AgrAbility interactive health and farm safety displays at the 2025 Missouri State Fair from August 7 to 17 in Sedalia, MO.
Missouri AgrAbility successfully obtained and launched two fee-based contractual services to conduct onsite farmstead assessments in FY 2026. Missouri also continues to work with MO DVR to establish new procedures, protocols, and better ways to streamline services to meet the needs of AgrAbility clients in Missouri.
Brenda Schreck, field specialist in livestock, Emily Doosing in 4-H development, and Elizabeth Picking, field specialist in livestock with MU Extension, combined with engineering consultants Willard Downs and Kirk Funkenbusch continue to provide onsite farmstead technical support to AgrAbility clients across the state of Missouri.
A variety of educational publications, including those featuring the Missouri AgrAbility program, were featured in the Lewis County Extension booth at the Lewis County Fair. These materials helped raise awareness of available resources for farmers and ranchers with disabilities.
Madison McCord recently graduated from Missouri State University where she majored in child and family development with a focus on youth development. Madison recently finished her internship with MU Extension in Greene County, guided by Amber Allen, the field specialist in human development at the University of Missouri Extension, who was her mentor. While at MU Extension, Madison developed the "Thank A Farmer Campaign," which was sponsored by the MU Extension - Health and Human Sciences Show-Me Strong Farm Families and Missouri AgrAbility programs. More
Farm Outreach Worker Susan Jaster met with an AgrAbility client. This AgrAbility client case is distinct because of the size and nature of the farm operation in relation to the type of disability. More
Farm Outreach Worker Mary Keeter provided MO AgrAbility information during an Integrative Pest Management (IPM) workshop on July 23. This workshop took place in St. Louis in collaboration with A Red Circle.
Maureen Cunningham with the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) and Missouri AgrAbility Co-PI, presented at the Ozark Area Crisis Intervention Team Council Meeting (OACIT) on July 9. She discussed Missouri AgrAbility as a resource for crisis intervention team (CIT) clients. More
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Program Manager Emily Jacobson recently presented at the AgriMed Course hosted by the UNMC Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) in Omaha. The course focuses on key health and safety issues affecting rural and agricultural workers, with expert-led sessions tailored for professionals in health care, public health, education, and safety. More
With county fair season in full swing, the team has been actively engaged in creating positive experiences for youths and families through 4-H events, volunteer efforts, and educational outreach. Staff are grateful for the opportunity to support youth development and showcase Extension programming. More
Emily recently toured the QLI (Quality Living, Inc.) facility in Omaha where she met with a potential AgrAbility client. The client visit offered an encouraging glimpse into the possibility of returning to agriculture post-injury. Learn more about QLI at: https://qliomaha.com.
Rural Rehabilitation Specialist Burton Pflueger and Emily continue collaborating with Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation to support clients across the state. Staff are currently awaiting additional service authorization to expand their outreach and impact.
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NMAP will collaborate with NM DVR to provide a "Day on the Farm" training on 9/18/2025 at the Los Lunas Agricultural Center.
The Mandy's Farm program director, Sophie Trusty, presented a National AgrAbility webinar on July 16 titled "Farming with Purpose: How the New Mexico AgrAbility Project Supports Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through Adaptive Apprenticeship."
The AgrAbility program at Mandy's Farm provided a successful fieldwork 1 experience to a University of New Mexico OT student.
The Mandy's Farm apprenticeship program was featured on an episode of the nationally available podcast, The Packer, at https://www.thepacker.com/news/social-responsibility/ag-apprentice-program-helps-disabled-adults-grow.
Mandy's Farm apprentices are selling their crops at "tiny grocers" in Old Town, Albuquerque. A local brewery picked Mandy's Farm to create a seasonal IPA. More
Team members are working to continue to enhance the AgrAbility exhibit at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum to include an interactive computer recording station that can capture the comments and thoughts of visitors.
The NM Technology Assistance Program partner is planning a conference on September 22 and 23 to include CEUs for OTs, speech-language pathologists, and DVR. NM AgrAbility-trained OTs McClellan and Thelander will present at that conference.
| | In July, Ohio AgrAbility had a busy month engaging with the agricultural community across the state. A key focus was inclusive livestock shows, where staff attended ten county fairs and the Ohio State Fair. More | | |
At the Ohio State Fair, AgrAbility had a dedicated exhibit in the 4-H area, showcasing various adaptive garden tools and providing information about the program's resources. This allowed staff to directly connect with fair attendees and demonstrate how AgrAbility can help farmers and ranchers continue to work.
OAP also made new connections with the veteran community. Laura Akgerman, disability services coordinator, presented at the Ohio Farmer Veteran Coalition workshop in Columbus. More
| | Linda Fetzer presented on PTO safety and AgrAbility at the Franklin County Farm Safety Day on July 17th. There were approximately 65 people who went through the stations, and the majority were from the Old Order Mennonite community. | |
Linda Fetzer participated in the Hoover Tractor Farm Safety Day. In the tent, there were multiple ag safety demonstrations and AgrAbility information. There were 750 attendees, and the majority were from the Old Order Mennonite community.
Haze Orner and Em Kase participated in the Rodale Field Days event on July 18th in Kutztown, PA. There were approximately 200 people in attendance, from various states, many of whom work in agriculture. More
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Haze Orner and Em Kase participated in the disABILITY event on July 31st in Harrisburg, PA. There were approximately 70 people in attendance from various disability services organizations plus community members with disabilities. More
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TN AgrAbility was privileged to work with five Tennessee State University occupational therapy students for the 5th consecutive year. These students were very eager to learn about a new program, especially how occupational therapy and agriculture relate. They were a fun group to work with. More
TNAP celebrated Independence Day weekend plus attended the 2025 Faith, Family, Farm & Freedom event at Heartland Meadows. A special thank-you to the Knox County Farm Bureau Women's Group and TEAM (Teaming to Educate for Agricultural Mastery) for an inspiring evening honoring veterans and farmers.
TNAP attended training and farm visits in Sevierville, TN, hosted by the Safe Farm Steward Project, a federally funded initiative supported by NIOSH and the Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention. The project promotes safe farming practices and helps identify farms committed to safety stewardship. More
TNAP/AgVOLS exhibited at the TSU West Tennessee Outreach Conference, connecting with new and beginning farmers across the region.
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The AgrAbility of Utah staff was excited to present at the Utah FFA Officer Leadership Training in Morgan, UT on July 9th. Over 150 FFA students and advisors were in attendance and were able to learn more about AgrAbility.
On July 10th, AgrAbility of Utah staff met with staff from the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation to address any barriers and learn more about each other's organization.
On July 28th, AgrAbility staff presented to members of the Cache Interagency Council in Logan, UT.
| | AgrAbility Virginia is currently managing 47 active cases of farmer clients at various levels of engagement and need, including a beginning veteran disabled farmer who is starting a small farm. Staff are assisting with resource access and farm accessibility planning through partners at the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program. More | | AgrAbility of Wisconsin (AAW) staff members Michelle Bachand, AgrAbility outreach program coordinator, and Jeff Kratochwill, Easterseals FARM Team program director, presented to the Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC) at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in July. The presentation provided an overview of the AAW program and was held in recognition of Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. More | | Madison McCord shares her personal thoughts about her internship with MU Extension - Health and Human Sciences: "Spending time with the MU Extension in Greene County team exceeded every expectation I ever had. The support I have received from each staff member has been heartfelt and genuine. More | | |
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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On Demand (Free) 1 Hour Training: Prevent, Diagnose, Manage: Alpha-gal Syndrome in Rural Patients. Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is an emerging public health issue in the United States, with reported cases increasing each year. Many healthcare professionals have limited or no familiarity with the condition, making diagnosis and management particularly challenging due to the complex nature of AGS. More
- In honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Tennessee Disability Coalition launched the ADA in Tennessee Oral History Project. This impactful series shared stories from Tennesseans whose lives have been transformed by the ADA, showcasing its influence and ongoing efforts toward equity and inclusion. https://www.tndisability.org/ada-tennessee-oral-history
- In July, Carey Portell, "Cruisin' Cowgirl" and a Missouri AgrAbility farmer, spoke with RFD-TV in Nashville, TN, to film an upcoming ProtectHer series sharing her story. Airing Labor Day weekend, the episode will highlight how women protect their families and farms, supported by @nationwide and FarmHer.
- With recent catastrophic flooding in Texas, Texas AgrAbility has been sharing information on what to do after the flood as well as holding QPR trainings on suicide prevention for the farming/ranching communities and those who serve them.
- Maxwell farmer receives grant to advance regenerative agriculture
- U.S. Farm Security Plan Announced
- Trump Administration Announces Expedited Congressionally Mandated Disaster Assistance for Farmers
- Farmers: Don’t Miss What’s in the Big Beautiful Bill
- Forget the Calendar: This Method Reveals the Ideal Time to Tackle Garden Pests
- Think Lyme Disease Is Bad? Meet Its Meaner Cousin
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