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Join the AgrAbility all-staff meeting Monday, October 30, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Look for details coming via email.

NTW Updates

The AgrAbility regional workshop, "Malama the Farmer, Caring for Yourself and Each Other," is taking place at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hawai'i, October 17-18.Updates on the event will be coming next month.

Next AgrAbility NTW Encore Webinar: “What Tools are in Your AgrAbility Truck?” with Kyle Haney of AgrAbility in Georgia and Ned Stoller of Michigan AgrAbility/NAP. Wednesday, November 8 at 3:00 p.m. EDT. More

The deadline for the USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has been extended to January 13, 2024. Farmers/ranchers who believe they were discriminated against because of disability in applying for USDA loans prior to January 2021 are eligible to apply for the program. More

The 2023 AgrAbility Virtual State Fair (VSF) full is in full swing! Follow the VSF Facebook and X (Twitter) pages for posts about a different state AgrAbility project each weekday.

The National AgrAbility team recently had the exciting opportunity to exhibit at 2023 Farm Aid Homegrown Village, a part of the Farm Aid concert and festival, which was held in Noblesville, Indiana, September 23. AgrAbility joined organizations from throughout the country in educating thousands of concertgoers about the importance of agriculture and farmers. More

Newly archived virtual events:

The Colorado AgrAbility Project's Extension behavioral health specialists are offering virtual office hours to anyone in Colorado State University's Office of Extension and Engagement (OEE) organization. The first session was on October 2nd, from 8:00 - 10:00 AM, hosted by Jim Kuemmerle (Eastern Region). More

During the month of September, the Florida AgrAbility staff conducted and participated in several different forms of outreach.

Members of the Florida AgrAbility team met with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab personnel to integrate accessible beekeeping into their longstanding Bee College event which will be held in Gainesville, FL, on March 15-16, 2024.

On September 20th, Vocational Rehabilitation accepted and approved a proposal submitted by Florida AgrAbility. This partnership will help Florida AgrAbility best serve current and future clients by helping farmers obtain assistive technology devices, practical materials for career guidance, education/training opportunities, and more.

Members of the Florida AgrAbility team connected to The Special Hearts Farm "Special Animals for Special Hearts," which is a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with disabilities and unique abilities by providing adult day training, supported employment, and possible entrepreneur business opportunities related to farming and gardening experiences.

The Florida AgrAbility team connected with Work Ready Florida, a grant-funded program for any Florida teenager, in which Florida teenagers are invited to participate in a virtual 4-H club where they will prepare for Agriculture Education Services & Technology, Inc. (AEST) certification.

Florida AgrAbility Outreach Coordinator Lindsey Head distributed assistive technology to two more farmers with the use of the Amazing Give Fundraiser funding. Along with continuing to assist farmers, Florida AgrAbility's communication and engagement specialist, Shelby Thomas, has begun to market AgrAbility via social media. Florida AgrAbility is active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Illinois AgrAbility will be learning about and implementing Salesforce, a data management tool, to track its client cases throughout the next few months.

Staff are compiling a late fall/winter marketing push for Illinois AgrAbility across statewide news media and radio. This will help get their name/program out there to Illinoisans who could benefit from the program.

Indiana AgrAbility hosted a Mental Health First Aid training on August 28 in Danville, Indiana, for farmer veterans, their family members, and professionals who serve veterans. Military veterans and their families face significant challenges in accessing mental health care. More

The Maine AgrAbility coordinator position is open again and staff hope to fill that vacancy soon.

James Wall, OTD, co-presented with Brie Weisman, OTR/L, on his research on the "Pain Tool for Farmers" to about a dozen participants at the Common Ground Fair. James was Maine AgrAbility's capstone OTD student, and he not only graduated, but passed his exam and is already working in an outpatient facility.

Michigan AgrAbility staff presented to Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) counselors from three Michigan counties. Staff spoke about AgrAbility and the work Michigan AgrAbility does with farm rehabilitation clients, shared several success stories and equipment modifications, and talked about the process of working on farm rehabilitation cases. More

Emily Doosing has been working on developing the 4-H Save Your Brain 2.0. 4-H Save Your Brain Ambassadors are also working with local school districts to plan activities that focus on brain injury prevention as part of the upcoming Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31), a national event that focuses on prevention of drug use. More

Elizabeth Picking, MU Extension field specialist in livestock, assisted Susan Jaster and David Middlton, both onsite farmstead assessors for Missouri AgrAbility, in facilitating three, fee for service onsite farmstead assessments that included... More

Project team members actively networked with AgrAbility customers, peer support groups, university students, stakeholders, non-profits, and private funding organizations by sharing information about services and the economic value of our programs.

Missouri AgrAbility focused social media efforts around the promotion of National Farm Safety and Health Week and prevention of suicide. Educational materials, dissemination of information, and program presentations were also geared toward meeting the diverse needs of Missouri farmers through inclusion, equity, and equality.

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (LUCE ISFOP) staff member Mary Bolling presented information on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to 18 farmers at the Minority and Limited Resource Farmers and Producers Conference in Sikeston, MO, on Friday, September 29th. More

Mary Bolling shared information on working safely with electric fencing, proper footwear, and prevention of injuries with 12 farmers on Saturday, September 30th at a beginner grazing workshop hosted by a beginner Hispanic farmer in Franklin County, Missouri, who is a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant recipient.

Mary Bolling and Karen Funkenbusch will be facilitating a new staff training for LUCE ISFOP on Monday, October 23, about Missouri AgrAbility.

Missouri AgrAbility was discussed during the "Accessible" podcast that aired on September 20. Maureen Cunningham, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Missouri, was the guest. The podcast host was George Gotto, with the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

The "Brain Injury as a Chronic Disease" session was offered on September 13 as a requested encore NTW session . Dr. Brent Masel, Brain Injury Association of Missouri national medical director, was the featured presenter.

Maureen Cunningham, Co-PI and Missouri AgrAbility partner, increased awareness about Missouri AgrAbility through an exhibit at the Transition Conference for persons with brain injury as a teenager. There were more than 200 professionals in attendance.

2023 Husker Harvest Days - September 12-14: Husker Harvest Days is known as the world's largest totally irrigated working farm show. Held in Grand Island, Nebraska, the event had perfect weather and large, enthusiastic crowds. More

Nebraska AgrAbility hosted the annual course "Rehabilitating Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities: A Priority in Nebraska." Occupational and physical therapists from Nebraska and South Dakota were in attendance. More

AgrAbility client Byron suffered a spinal cord injury shortly after graduating from high school. After his accident, Byron spent time at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals where he was eager to resume his active lifestyle and learn to move his body in different ways. More

NMAP hosted a table at the NM Assistive Technology Conference (2023 NMACTion Annual Conference.) More than 200 people from all over New Mexico were present at the event and were encouraged to engage with the AgrAbilty booth.

NMAP farm apprentices with Mandy's Farm showed, and were awarded ribbons for, Nigerian Dwarf goats. The NM Farm Apprentice program is selling its produce at a local restaurant.

NMAP was present with a marketing table at the Grant County Fair.

Crystal Cook Marshall conducted eight on-site qualitative interviews with current NC AgrAbility farmers at their farms about their needs for adaptive or other process solutions for making their operations more financially sustainable,... More

Betty Rodriguez met with 73 more individuals from different programs across the state at the "Agricultural Partner Regional Networking" event on September 13, at the Johnston County Agricultural Center. More

On September 20, Cook Marshall attended the USDA farm stress and suicide prevention convening in Washington, DC.

On September 21, Betty Rodriguez attended "The Role of Underserved Producers in the Bioeconomy" as an exhibitor and attendee. USDA economists met to discuss bioeconomy and its impacts on underserved farmers. More

On Sept 22, Crystal Cook Marshall presented on NC AgrAbility to 65 farmers as part of the Eastern Carolina Small Farm Fest in Williamston, NC. This year she has been working together with the Stop the Bleed (STB) program from Eastern Carolina Medical School... More

Betty Rodriguez and Ned Stoller met with a group of professionals from the UNAD Colombia, South America, on September 22. The group from the UNAD are joining local and international efforts to start the AgrAbility program in their country.

On September 28, the NC Farmworker Health Program Governing Board met for their semi-annual board retreat in Durham, NC. The group discussed the performance of the farmworker clinic sites, the board composition and committees, and invited other members to apply for the 2024 chair position as Betty Rodriguez's term ends in December 2023.

Ohio AgrAbility's mission of education and networking was on full display at Farm Science Review (FSR) 2023. The Ohio AgrAbility Project (OAP) and ag safety teams, exhibits, vendors, and weather all coordinated to welcome visitors to a great FSR. More

Ohio AgrAbility started September with the Cursive Ohio Charity Bike Ride in Northwest Ohio on September 2. One hundred fifty-three riders cycled routes of 16, 35, or 65 miles. All riders stop at Rest Stop 3, where they can "Dot the I" of the Cursive Ohio course and take a picture with Brutus Buckeye. More

AgrAbility PA was an exhibitor at the 2023 Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 29 & 30. During this time, staff were able to share with students, professors, and professionals in the field, the mission of AgrAbility PA. More

AgrAbility PA conducted a farmer spotlight interview on September 26, 2023. She is the executive director of PA Farm Link and family owned and operated Mahonig Creek Farm in Indiana County. More

The AgrAbility in South Carolina team was able to get a case with a client who was interested in receiving assistance with hand controls for a tractor. Staff are in the process of assisting the gentleman.

Another success the team encountered was to present AgrAbility information to an audience at the Aquaponics Association meeting. They were very interested in what AgrAbility was and the importance to agriculture. The presentation offered insight into aquaponics and the ability to offer assistance to operate the system efficiently.

The University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA), umbrella for TN AgrAbility, celebrated 25 years in September, hosting a reception for farmers, partners, and collaborators at the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation office in Columbia. CPA helps farmers develop value-added enterprises. More

TN AgrAbility promoted "No One Can Take Your Place," the theme of National Farm Safety and Health Week, with webinars from The National Education Center for Agriculture Safety. Webinars by AgriSafe and the Progressive Ag Foundation were presented daily September 18 - 22 on a variety of safety topics presented.

USDA/NIFA hosted a webinar on Monday, September 18, at 1:00 p.m. EDT, about NIFA-funded programs supporting farm safety and farm safety education. Troy Dugger, TN AgrAbility project director, was one of the panelists of project directors from the Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities (AgrAbility) or the Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification (YFSEC) Program. More

Three hundred twenty-five people attended the 2023 TSU TN Small Farm Expo held in Nashville. They highlighted their mission "Support. Engage. Invent." with exhibits and research tours. More

Star Center, TN AgrAbility's nonprofit partner, celebrated and raised awareness in September for the Annual Deaf Awareness Campaign, which celebrated those who are deaf and stood in support for new technologies, social inclusion, and awareness. It helps to see the highly concerted global advocacy to raise awareness about the deaf community on different levels. More

Congratulations to UT Gardens Horticultural Therapy (HT) program, which won 2nd place and $1,500 in the 2023 National Garden Bureau Therapeutic Garden Grant. Monetary funds will allow the HT program to add new adaptive garden beds to the therapeutic garden located next to the south greenhouse. More

One hundred fifty beef and forage producers attended the Beef & Forage Field Day held on the grounds of the Middle TN AgResearch & Education Center in Spring Hill, TN. Brain Robinson, TN Association of Rescue Squads state training coordinator, was the keynote lunch speaker. More

The Greater Gibson County, Milan, and Humboldt Chambers of Commerce hosted a "Non-Profit Fair" for their youth leadership class. Non-profit partner of TN AgrAbility, STAR Center, set up a display. This event was attended by the top 20 academically achieving high school Juniors from Gibson County. More

TN AgrAbility partnered with Gibson County Farm Bureau Women, Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District, UT TSU Extension, and five FFA chapters to host the annual Ag Day for 4th grade, where 514 4th graders from five school districts attended ag stations related to: fertilizer/farm safety; horticultural; vet science; water quality; dairy, grains/cotton, animals, and farm equipment.

Texas AgrAbility met with engineering students at West Texas A&M University to collaborate on a capstone project. The students will design and manufacture hand controls and a platform lift for a Texas AgrAbility client with a leg amputation.

Texas AgrAbility staff members Erin Kimbrough, Makenzie Thomas, and Heidi Barber were featured on a "Women in Agriculture" panel discussion. As women in agriculture, professionally and personally, panelists shared best practices, resources for women in agriculture, and tips for beginners. You can check out the video recording here: https://youtu.be/r72D9e0qjzY.

Makenzie Thomas presented Texas AgrAbility and assistive technology in the agricultural workplace to occupational therapy students at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Connections were made with students who are interested in working with AgrAbility for capstone projects in the future.

Cene Cleaton, Texas AgrAbility Total Farmer Health coach, attended the National Association for Rural Mental Health conference in Pittsburg. She made connections with other rural mental health organizations and providers to expand resources for Texas AgrAbility clients.

Makenzie Thomas attended the September Southwest Ag Center Extension agent meeting. Resources were shared on upcoming training opportunities and initiatives for Extension agents in four states.

Cheryl Grenwelge and Makenzie Thomas met with disaster assistance and recovery mental health agents to coordinate efforts. Texas AgrAbility will collaborate with these agents to deliver mental health training and resources to farmers and ranchers throughout the state.

The next Texas AgrAbility peer group meeting will be held on November 8th at 12:30 pm. During the meetings, members of the group share helpful resources and connect with other farmers and ranchers with disabilities. To sign up for the peer group and be included on peer group meetings, you can sign up here.

The BattleGround to Breaking Ground program is accepting applications for the next cohort. Participants complete 16 weeks of business planning education and six months of hands-on agriculture training. Click here for instructions on how to apply.

AgrAbility of Utah staff attended the disability workshop conference sponsored by Utah Department of Workforce Services on September 6 and kept up to date on the services available to workers with disabilities.

AgrAbility staff was able to present to 29 members of the Cache Interagency Council in Logan, UT.

AgrAbility of Utah staff met with staff from the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation on September 28 to address any barriers and learn more about each other's organization.

AgrAbility of Utah staff was excited to join with Utah State University Extension and display a farm safety scavenger hunt exhibit at the Cache Valley Cheese and Dairy Festival in Logan, Utah, on September 29th and 30th. Hundreds viewed the demonstration and attempted to find all 13 unsafe farm practices. Cache Valley is famous for its cheese and dairy products and many farmers in the valley work in the dairy industry.

During the month of September, the Virginia team shared with audiences about AgrAbility at the Virginia State Fair as well as at a small farms event held in northeastern NC.

Currently, the program is working with 34 open farmer client cases, including a farmer with mobility limitations with whom staff is looking into securing mobility technology alternatives for the beef farm operation.

Emily Whittier, Washington AgrAbility co-coordinator, attended the USDA's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnership's conference, "Prosperity and Sustainable Livelihoods: Partnerships to Address Suicides in Farming Communities." The conference took place in Washington, DC, and convened many key stakeholders in rural health. More

Don McMoran, Washington AgrAbility program director, attended a home assessment and was able to do some AgrAbility outreach at the Skagit County Fair in Mount Vernon.

Deb Eidsness, Washington AgrAbility co-coordinator, continued to work with her clients, and is continuing to contact new potential clients she met at the fairs she attended.

Debbie Fredricks, Washington AgrAbility co-coordinator, continued her outreach by tabling at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Conference in Grand Mound, which had over 350 attendees. Debbie also attended the AgrAbility Webinar, "Farm Stress & Youth".

Alyssa Wade, Washington AgrAbility co-coordinator, continued to attend fairs through September to make sure all eastern and central Washington has knowledge and access to the AgrAbility and farm stress programs. Alyssa attended the Kittitas County Fair in Ellensburg, Palouse Empire Fair in Colfax, and the Spokane Interstate Fair in Spokane.

Don, Debbie, and Deb look forward to attending the Western Regional AgrAbility Conference in Hilo, Hawaii, in October.

Wisconsin's governor recognized September 17-23, 2023, as Wisconsin Farm Safety and Health Week. AgrAbility of Wisconsin partnered with other state ag groups to get this proclamation on his desk. Here's a link to the "parchment paper" version: https://tinyurl.com/2ajnub4e.

The staff of AgrAbility for Africa held the Africa training workshop in 2023 to foster networking and support for farmer services. Following the inaugural workshop, the AgrAbility for Africa staff are working to establish a capacity and direct support center facility for low-tech assistive technology development in Uganda. More

As the primary method of food production on the continent, traditional "hand hoe" farming prevents many people from participating in it. However, for the agricultural sector to become inclusive, it needs to be mechanized by the introduction of new farming technologies. More

Antonia "Toni" Small has accepted a staff position with Maine AgrAbility as a contract employee with a focus on our fishing clients, given her background in aquaculture. She is giving up her seat on our advisory council, and we have already filled it with Monique Coombs.

Monique has been working with our FishAbility group, focusing on yoga for fishermen. Monique not only is from a fishing family, but she is also the director of community programs for Maine Coast Fishermen's Association (MCFA).

We are saying goodbye to Gary Nadeau, who has been on our advisory council since our program began.

We are saying goodbye to Joanna Kica who has been with Michigan AgrAbility for many years. Joanna led the surveillance of farm worker injuries in the state of Michigan and wrote annual summary reports since 2015. We wish her the best with her new endeavors in Tennessee!

Andrea Klahn is leaving the AgrAbility of Wisconsin project where she served as outreach specialist for the past 14 months. "I really enjoyed my time here with the AgrAbility project, especially meeting people and sharing the mission of the project with farmers throughout the state," says Klahn.

Klahn will be staying home following the birth of her third daughter in October. Project assistant and past summer intern Julianne Renner will be taking over client intake and enrollment until a replacement is hired. Please reach out to AgrAbility of Wisconsin at agrability@wisc.edu or 608-262-9336.

Click titles below for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects.

...... ...Episode 26 • 1st October 2023

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