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June 2025
A monthly update for AgrAbility projects and friends of AgrAbility
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NAP held planning meetings for the 2026 NTW on May 14 and June 11. The committee reviewed two state proposals and some information from the hotels. More information will be reviewed in future meetings before selecting a location, and new committee members are welcome to join... More
Unfortunately, NAP had to cancel the regional workshop planned for Shipshewana, IN, focused on working with Old Order Cultures. NAP is hoping to reschedule it in the future.
NAP would love to host a regional workshop with the SRAPs. If interested in hosting, please contact Tess tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org or JoBeth jbrath@goodwillfingerlakes.org, for more information.
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NAP recently launched a web resource page on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities in agriculture at www.agrability.org/emergency-prep. Suggestions on additional resources are welcomed; contact jonesp@purdue.edu.
Monthly AgrAbility/Extension check-ins have been a great place for conversation, brainstorming, and collaboration between and among SRAPs. Join the next session on the third Wednesday of the month. More
For those directly involved in requesting payments from USDA, procedures for payments from the U.S. government have been implemented that require payment justification with each payment request. Please CLICK HERE for further information and instructions from the ASAP.gov website.
Newly archived virtual events:
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Designed by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, this 8- by 8-foot DIY Wooden Tornado Shelter, which meets industry safety standards, is designed to be built, utilizing readily available materials and tools, in the basement, garage, or other protected area of one's home that has a reinforced concrete slab at least 4 inches thick. The website provides verbal/captioned and illustrated instructions on where to locate the shelter and the step-by-step construction process plus six how-to videos. It can be constructed to be wheelchair-accessible.
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As a proud partner of the Puentes Network, California AgrAbility recently co-hosted Noche de Lotería, a Spanish-language community event designed to foster connection, education, and fun. Community members came together for an engaging evening filled with fun, prizes, and valuable learning opportunities. More
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California AgrAbility partnered with the Migrant Education Program to conduct outreach to cherry harvest workers in the California Delta region. Migrant, seasonal, and H-2A farmworkers received information on arthritis, diabetes, heat illness prevention, and mental health. More
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The Colorado AgrAbility Project received funding from the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agriculture Health and Safety through the "Emerging Issues" program for four projects.
- "Expanding AgrAbility's Support of Agriculture Workers in Northeastern Colorado." More
- "Creating Inclusive and Accessible Agriculture Safety Training." More
- "AgrAbility Behavioral Health Expansion and Evaluation of the LandLogic Model." More
- "Evaluating the Office of Engagement and Extension's Behavioral Health Stigma Reduction Efforts in Colorado" More
| | Florida AgrAbility hosted "Cultivating Resilience: Mental Health in Agriculture with Mind Your Melon," a webinar focused on addressing the critical issue of mental health within the farming community. Marshal Sewell, founder of Mind Your Melon, led the session with practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and combating the stigma surrounding mental health in agriculture. More | |
Angels Bridging Gaps and the FL AgrAbility team wrapped up their Roots to Work program with a tour of the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard Discovery Nursery and Garden. With the support of partner organizations UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County, Master Gardeners of Brevard, ABG, and Promise in Brevard, over a dozen adults with disabilities received hands-on training in agriculture.
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Staff presented at the 2025 UF/IFAS EPAF Symposium in Daytona Beach, FL, on "Enhancing Agricultural Accessibility: The Impact of Extension Collaboration with the Florida AgrAbility Project." The session focused on how Extension agents can support farmers by connecting them with Florida AgrAbility services.
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As part of continual efforts to support veterans in agriculture, staff teamed up with UGA Extension for the Farm Boot Camp program to offer an "Intermediate Beef Cattle Workshop." The goal of this workshop is to help veterans raising beef cattle improve their operations by learning about genetics, pasture/hayfield management, meat cuts, ways to market their products, and equipment.
Staff were excited to have some of their AgrAbility clients receive grants from the Farmer Veteran Coalition Fellowship Fund this year. Staff are very thankful to the Farmer Veteran Coalition for all that it does to help these veterans be successful.
The Georgia AgrAbility veteran liaison has been a part of the Georgia Farmer Veteran Coalition Chapter's organizing committee. Staff are excited to have the Georgia chapter starting off because they have seen how beneficial the FVC state chapters have been in other states.
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Twenty-three members of Indiana AgrAbility advisory team met for their spring meeting at the FFA Leadership Center in Trafalgar, IN, on June 29. Both the staff reports and the updates from the advisors, consultants, and partners were lively and appreciated by all. More
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Ned Stoller attended the RESNA (Rehab Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) annual conference in Chicago, IL, and learned of several new assistive devices for Michigan clients. LifeGlider is a hands-free stand-up support-like walker that will help one of Michigan's clients with MS work in his farm shop and farm store.
Michigan AgrAbility is providing the Veteran Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Farm with accessibility and assistive technology assessments so veterans of all abilities can work on this VFW National Home project.
Staff also presented about outreach for migrant and seasonal Spanish-speaking workers during the SW MI Migrant Resource Council meeting on May 9 and its pre-season conference on May 29.
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In recognition of May Mental Health Awareness Month, MU Extension and Missouri partners (LUCE ISFOP, BIA-MO, and MO 4-H) shared a range of resources focused on mental well-being, accessibility, ergonomics, health, and wellness through both print and online social media platforms. These resources are aimed at farmers with disabilities, agricultural supporters, professionals, allies, and their families. More
Missouri 4-H partnered with Missouri AgrAbility to promote awareness of mental well-being in rural areas, the stress of farming, and the importance of suicide prevention. This initiative empowered young leaders to share important messages in a way that resonates with their community. More
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Susan Jaster from Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Innovative Small Farmer's Outreach Program (LUCE ISFOP) and Judith Matumba, a nutrition specialist with MU Extension, organized a health, safety, and well-being exhibit at the health fair in Marshall, Missouri, on May 3rd. Dr. Allison Young served as the featured speaker. More
A workshop focused on soil health and composting for beginning farmers, including MO AgrAbility client farmers, was held on May 28. Mary Keeter from LUCE ISFOP also talked about ergonomic tools, strategies to prevent secondary injuries, shared resources from Missouri/National AgrAbility, and provided information on free telehealth services.
While visiting a MO beginning veteran farmer (client farmer), Susan Jaster with LUCE ISFOP provided information about the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA) and discussed the services offered by MO AgrAbility. The veteran farmer, who has sustained a brain injury, discovered the support available through MO AgrAbility, BIA, and MO DESE VR. More
| | The Nebraska AgrAbility team has begun planning fall outreach activities, with Husker Harvest Days at the top of the list. Staff are excited about these upcoming events and the opportunity to connect with past, present, and future clients, as well as partner organizations, to share more about their mission. | | |
Emily Jacobson has been working on client reports for submission to VR. She is also training Burton Pflueger, who is the new rural rehabilitation specialist for Nebraska AgrAbility/Nebraska Easterseals. More
After a life-changing accident, Eric Fass faced challenges that could have ended his farming and ranching career. But with unwavering support from his wife, Amanda, and the assistance of Nebraska AgrAbility, Eric adapted and continued to pursue his passion for farming and ranching. More
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Six apprentices who served with New Mexico AgrAbility's non-profit partner have been selling vegetables and duck eggs with a new vendor. The apprentices have been providing educational experiences to schoolchildren about agriculture.
In May, the team worked to provide fieldwork placements to OT students scheduled for summer and autumn 2025 as well as for awareness activities for farm Extension and DVR in New Mexico.
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Ohio AgrAbility Disability Services Coordinator Laura Akgerman and Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility, co-presented "Using the HAAT (Human Activity Assistive Technology) Model to Assess Workshop Accessibility" at the RESNA conference during RehabWeek in Chicago. The session was well attended, and many in the audience were familiar with AgrAbility. More
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OAP is proud to have been featured on the front page of the Extension in Ohio Communities 2024 Extension Annual Report - Agriculture and Natural Resources. The recognition of Ohio AgrAbility's work is gratifying and helps to bring awareness to the invaluable services offered by AgrAbility teams across the country.
OAP continues outreach and engagement activities across Ohio and is busy scheduling summer events from presentations to attendance at many of the county fair inclusive livestock shows across the state.
| | Linda Fetzer provided an interactive class session for 80 youth at Penn Manor High School. The farm safety session highlighted power-take off safety, included an introduction to AgrAbility, and the students were able to try out several low-tech assistive technology solutions. | | On Memorial Day, TN AgrAbility honored and remembered through social media those who served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we cherish today. | | |
Thank you to the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society (UTAS) for hosting a brunch honoring veterans and military spouses-the unsung heroes of service. TN AgrAbility staff spoke to 35 guests about the AgrAbility project, then attendees enjoyed making patriotic flower pots to take home. More
Hurricane Helene's flooding in September 2024 severely damaged streambanks, impacting fields, fencing, and infrastructure. Dr. Shelli Rampold, TN AgrAbility project director and assistant professor of issues and crisis communications with the Department of Agricultural Leadership Education and Communications (ALEC), lead the recovery education efforts with the UT Extension and the TN Department of Agriculture. More
TN AgrAbility partnered with the University of Tennessee's Health Integrated Business and Engineering Program (HIBEP). A four-student team of business and engineering students used "design thinking" methodology to address the challenge: "How might Tennessee farmers with disabilities/chronic conditions in remote areas proactively prepare for medical emergencies to enhance safety and independence?" More
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A coalition of Tennessee organizations launched the TN AgVets Opportunities on FarmLand (AgVOLs) Program, equipping veterans and transitioning service members with agricultural skills and resources. AgVols, TN AgrAbility, UT Center of Farm Management, and UT TSU Extension co-hosted the inaugural two-day workshop in Clarksville, TN,... More
May was Mental Health Awareness Month-a time to prioritize well-being, break stigmas, and support one another. Mental health is health. More
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Forty Fayette County Master Gardeners enjoyed a fun, interactive presentation by TN AgrAbility staff. The attendees were able to see, touch, and use assistive technology tools for gardening and farming.
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TN AgrAbility's disability partner, The STAR Center, provided hands-on activities to 174 students and 19 teachers at the disability awareness station at their annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Day.
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Texas AgrAbility conducted three farm assessments in the month of May. One was a follow up on a partnership with West Texas A&M engineering students to deliver a ramp to help a disabled farmer/rancher in the North Texas area access his office. The other two were in the Central Texas area to help guide those farmers on re-entering the agriculture workforce.
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AgrAbility partnered with AgriSafe at the International Rural Nursing Conference held at UT Arlington to support mental health with farm/ranch family relationships.
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A workshop was conducted in May that included a farm tour to Cown D. Ranch with Battleground to Breaking Ground.
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This month, the Virginia team participated in the Whole Communities Symposium in Roanoke, VA, joining nearly 300 attendees in discussions on rural mental health and trauma-informed care.
They also supported the 4th Annual Day of Healing at Briarwood Cattle Farm with over 125 participants and engaged more than 350 attendees at the VSU Farmers Field Day at Randolph Farm.
AgrAbility Virginia is actively managing 41 farmer cases, including assistance for a beekeeper streamlining honey production.
The Mobile Ag Education Unit visited multiple sites, providing hands-on agricultural learning experiences that highlight AgrAbility Virginia.
| | AgrAbility of Wisconsin staff members Michelle Bachand, AgrAbility outreach program coordinator, and Jeff Kratochwill, Easterseals FARM Team program director, attended the VA FARMS monthly peer group meeting. They provided an overview of the AAW program and engaged in meaningful discussion with the veteran farmers in attendance. More | | AgrAbility of Wisconsin (AAW) was honored to be invited to participate in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) roundtable on farmer mental health, held in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month. | |
Michelle Bachand and Jeff Kratochwill represented AAW at the event, which offered updates on DATCP's mental health initiatives and created space for attendees to share insights, experiences, and personal stories. More
AgrAbility of Wisconsin (AAW) and the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) continue to meet quarterly to strengthen their collaboration and proactively address any challenges. This month, the teams began planning a fall webinar series hosted by AAW featuring UW-Madison Extension agriculture educators. More
| | Last spring, we said goodbye to our longtime rehab specialist Candiss Leathers. However, we are thrilled to announce that Candy now participates with CAP in a new capacity as an Advisory Board member. Candy's provision of her experience and expertise will absolutely uplift CAP and our clients. | | Say goodbye to Jamie Villarreal who left BIA-MO as our program associate. Her last day was Friday, May 23. | Meet Burton Pflueger, rural rehabilitation specialist with Easterseals Nebraska/ Nebraska AgrAbility. Burton is a native Nebraskan who was raised on a diversified family farm. He still owns and manages the farm operation. He has academic degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Illinois with a focus on agricultural business management. Burton has served as statewide Extension specialist at South Dakota State University. Later in his career he had academic appointments at Northeast Community College and Dallas Community College. Burton shares that he is privileged to be part of the AgrAbility team and Easterseals Nebraska. | |
Student worker Ramzey Zimmerman graduated Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural leadership & development and a minor in Extension. She will be staying on staff while she works on her master's degree.
B.J. Groskreutz will be assisting with coordinating the planning, development, and implementation of our Expanding Agriculture Opportunities for Military Veterans grant. BJ served in the Navy as an EOD operator in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He will be joining us in Texas in August.
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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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