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October 2025
A monthly update for AgrAbility projects and friends of AgrAbility
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NTW Updates
- The 2026 NTW will be held at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, MI, March 16th-19th. Rooms have been blocked at a rate of $116.62 (taxes/fees included): click here for Hotel Reservation Link. The last day to reserve a room is February 12, 2026. More
- Submit a session proposal. The requests for proposals and posters have been sent out and are available on the NTW website and through these links: Call for session proposals | Call for posters. The last day to submit a session proposal is November 3. More
- Farmer stipend applications will be coming out soon. Please start talking to clients that may want to come so they are ready to fill out the application once it is available.
If you have any questions, contact us any time: Tess McKeel tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org - 585.447.9015 or JoBeth Rath - jbrath@goodwillfingerlakes.org - 585.402.2059.
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The next regional training workshop will be in Lake Placid, NY, November 12-13 at the Crowne Plaza Lake Placid. During this regional event, NAP will be partnering with NY FarmNet for presentations on assistive technology in agriculture, working with veterans, dealing with stress on the farm, farm tax awareness, and succession planning. See www.agrability.org/rtw/agrability-regional-workshop.
The National AgrAbility Advisory Team met in Indianapolis (and virtually) on October 15-16. Thank you to all our advisors, including Serap Gorucu of Florida AgrAbility for representing the SRAPs and to Soni Cochran of Nebraska AgrAbility for representing EDEN, the Extension Disaster Education Network.
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AgrAbility NTW Encore Webinar: “From Loss to Resilience: The Science of Grief,” Wednesday, October 22, 3:00 p.m. EDT. More
The AgrAbility Marketing & Media Community of Interest is scheduled to meet Monday, November 3 at 3:00 p.m. EDT. If you want to participate and aren't yet on the distribution list, contact jonesp@purdue.edu.
Newly archived virtual events:
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The Noonee Chairless Chair Exoskeleton is designed to convert in a matter of seconds from a rigid leg-support brace for standing and walking into a chair for sitting. This allows one to temporarily rest in an ergonomically favorable position while still carrying out the task at hand. The device is worn on the back of the legs with straps attached to hips, thighs, and shoes. Its skeletal legs (made of reportedly lightweight, fiberglass-reinforced plastic) have joints at knee height and can be adjusted to the user's body size, height, and desired sitting position.
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AgrAbility in Alaska continues to expand awareness and outreach through strong partnerships and community engagement. In August, non-profit partner Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) featured AKAgrAbility in its statewide e-newsletter From Beekeeping to Gardening: Assistive Tech That Helps, published on August 26. More
In September, AKAgrAbility staff participated in the Emergency Preparedness Expo, connecting with more than 2,000 attendees to share resources, adaptive tools, and information about the AgrAbility program. Staff also delivered informational presentations to a wide range of agencies and organizations across the state, helping to build awareness and foster collaborations that support Alaskans in agriculture.
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California AgrAbility has been actively collaborating with organizations in Northern California to plan the upcoming Camino Hacia La Oportunidad Conference for promotores. The event will provide training for emerging community leaders and health workers, with planning led by Northern Valley Catholic Social Services and California Human Development.
Staff also provided one-on-one professional development sessions for professionals serving rural agricultural communities and AgrAbility clients. Participants included mental health providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and occupational therapists. Topics covered included agricultural community culture, common injuries, resource management, and referral processes.
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In addition, California AgrAbility staff supported a farmer from Chowchilla in attending the 7th Annual Growing Together Small Farms Conference in Fresno, which featured hands-on trainings and demonstrations.
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Florida AgrAbility and Florida 4-H launched year two of Barnyard Challengers, Barnyard Challengers - Florida AgrAbility - UF/IFAS. This program introduces the next generation to livestock and fosters the development of essential life skills. More
On September 10, Dr. Serap Gorucu, director of the Florida AgrAbility Project, delivered a virtual presentation at the international conference Towards SHWA 2026: Cutting-edge Technologies for Safety, Health, and Welfare in Agro-food Systems. More
| | Georgia AgrAbility staff members attended the Rural Roads Summit in Laurens County on September 12th. The summit shared impacts of programs developed to increase drivers' and passengers' use of seat belts in rural communities. Additionally, conversations were held about tractor and UTV safety for traveling on Georgia roadways. | | |
Georgia AgrAbility staff members attended the Georgia Farmer Veteran Coalition Chapter development committee's stakeholder meeting on September 19th. The meeting was held to identify partners to ensure the success of a state Farmer Veteran Coalition chapter.
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On September 11, Paul Jones attended a "farm to table" dinner in Hebron, Indiana, sponsored by the Indiana Grown program of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The featured guest was Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
Indiana AgrAbility Rural Rehabilitation Specialist Steve Swain presented AgrAbility, the assessment process, and rural assistive technology to the "Assistive Technology Practice" graduate level class offered by Dr. Brad Duerstock at Purdue University. The course introduces rehabilitation engineering through the use, design, evaluation, and delivery of assistive technology (AT) for persons with disabilities. More
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ME AgrAbility staff members toured Vertical Harvest Farms (VHF) in Westbrook, ME, for the annual staff retreat. VHF seeks to provide quality employment opportunities for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities at its facility. The tour was a positive networking opportunity between VHF and ME AgrAbility.
The AgrAbility program coordinator attended the Maine Farm Resource Network meeting.
ME AgrAbility staff members tabled at the Commonground Country Fair in Unity, ME. Staff members had conversations with close to 100 attendees about the program.
Staff members took a trip to Cutler and Lubec, ME, for a two-day work session. Interview footage from a current fishing client was collected for an upcoming documentary film featuring his shift to fishing solo. Staff filmed fishing techniques on the water, collected footage for film transitions, and interviewed the client and family.
The ME AgrAbility program coordinator served on the planning committee for the first Land and Sea Farmer Wellness Forum in Hallowell, ME, and was joined by staff member Toni Small. The day encouraged conversations between farm service providers about perennial challenges for ME producers and ended with strategic action item planning.
Program Coordinator Bella Russo joined Franklin County Extension ag staff to give a combined talk at the Farmington Fair. Techniques on the farm were mentioned, and general program information was shared.
AgrAbility program staff members hosted a total of three short talks at Fryeburg Fair in the Agricultural Discovery Center. Talks were focused on small-scale AT that can be used on the farm and in logging operations.
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Ned Stoller attended a First Identifier Training with Kent County Farm Bureau and spoke with Ian Hill about AgrAbility and supporting agricultural workers with serious medical conditions. Ian Hill is an international speaker and expert on rural mental health. More
Bev Berens joined the crowd that showed up on a foggy morning to watch as the White House Christmas tree was selected at the Korson Farm in Sidney, Michigan, in September. The honor of providing the tree is awarded to the winner of the National Christmas Tree Association's annual competition. More
Several farmers have donated assistive technology back to AgrAbility that is no longer needed. This is an effective way for assistive technology to be "repurposed" instead of abandoned. AgrAbility can help identify other farmers who need the AT and make connections.
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The Missouri AgrAbility Program (MAP), along with its collaborative partners and cooperators, conducted 11 educational programs aimed at improving the professional competencies of 605 agricultural professionals, Extension specialists, and rehabilitation, vocational, and healthcare providers. A pre- and post-workshop survey from MO AgrAbility indicated that 95% of participants reported an increase in their understanding of technologies and effective on the farm accommodations. More
MO continues to utilize social media platforms to enhance awareness of its programs and projects designed to inform key audiences and the public about AgrAbility initiatives. This month, over 4,500 impressions were achieved by sharing more than 40 posts related to health, safety, prevention of secondary injuries, wellness tips, resources and mental well-being strategies. More
This month the MU Extension team offered direct assistance to 12 ongoing farmers, ranchers, and veteran farmers with disabilities, along with their family members. This support included offering guidance on product selection, ensuring accessibility Access video on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyv_2-GpqtM, providing ergonomic recommendations, aiding in daily life activities, and assisting with the planning of farm operations. More
Emily Doosing, a field specialist in 4-H and Youth, also worked closely with local school districts and Missouri AgrAbility 4-H Save Your Brain Ambassadors in preparation for Red Ribbon Week. She provided training to three new 4-H Save Your Brain Ambassadors who were set to begin their new roles on October 1st. More
Farm Outreach Workers involved with the Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (ISFOP) at Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) also conducted impactful educational programs and marketing initiatives.
Penny Wilson shared educational resources about MO AgrAbility and resources for mental well-being related to farm and ranch stress, which included information on suicide prevention and 988, while organizing a display in Cape Girardeau, MO, on September 9. Many of the attendees were 4H and FFA students.
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Susan Jaster participated in the health expo for the Kirksville Community at A.T. Still University on September 6 in Kirksville, MO. The Expo featured health screenings and booths from local healthcare services. MO AgrAbility organized a live demonstration featuring a combine and ton truck equipped with a Life Essentials lift owned by Doug Boswell. More
Mary Keeter presented MO AgrAbility, along with resources for farm and ranch stress, and shared information on suicide prevention and 988 during the Osage, Maries, Gasconade Women in Agriculture 2025 event on September 4.
Lesa Queen participated in the Brain Injury Association's quarterly professional coffee meetup on September 9 in Springfield, MO. This event was a fantastic opportunity to engage in discussions about MO AgrAbility and ISFOP with representatives from Mercy Rehab, Vocational Rehabilitation, FireFly, the MO Brain Injury Association, the Stone County Health Department, and EmpowerAbility.
Susan Jaster participated in a conference at Lincoln University titled, "Can you Dig It" Cohort-3 Women's Wellness Weekend for Market Gardeners, which was held from September 25-28 at the Oasis Hotel Convention Center in Springfield, MO. This event is part of a comprehensive year-long program focused on health, wellness, mental well-being and gardening. More
On September 27, Bryan De Valdivia showcased MO AgrAbility materials and engaged with participants during a Vermicomposting workshop held in Joplin, MO.
Karen Funkenbusch from MU Extension and Mark Lucas from LUCE conducted a Mo AgrAbility training session and provided a grant update for ISFOP farm outreach workers.
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Maureen Cunningham with the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO), handled nine marketing events for Missouri AgrAbility. She set up at the Missouri Rural Health Association event on September 16 and 17, as well as at the Barry-Lawrence County Resource Fair and Disability Expo on September 25. More
| | The Nebraska AgrAbility team participated in National Ag Safety and Health Week and made sure to take as many courses as possible from AgriSfae. They also created content for social media platforms focusing on promoting safety and helping the public be more aware of the dangers faced by people working in the agricultural industry. | | |
AgrAbility had a record attendance at the recent OT/PT training that took place in western Nebraska. According to Angie Howell, Easterseals Nebraska and member of the Nebraska AgrAbility team, the course content and presenters shined, including Emily Jacobson, Nebraska AgrAbility program manager, Christine Hutchison, PT, DPT, and Shauna Dahlgren, certified work incentive specialist for Easterseals Nebraska. More
Soni Cochran, Nebraska Extension disaster education coordinator and member of the Nebraska AgrAbility team, attended the inaugural summit which took place in the Regional Engagement Center on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. There was an incredible lineup of speakers and opportunities to engage, share ideas, and connect with healthcare providers and professionals, community leaders, academic groups, and rural health advocates. More
Recordings of the lightning talks and the keynote speakers are available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYHAaTRqpnUTBU9ZcvUOBY6CbSOA9lmOK. Additional resources from the summit will be available on UNMC's Great Plains IDeA | Clinical and Translational Research website at https://gpctr.unmc.edu/community. More
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For over 40 years, Husker Harvest Days has been known as the world's largest totally irrigated working farm show and a premier agricultural event featuring the latest developments in agriculture. Emily Jacobson, program manager for Nebraska AgrAbility, shared that nearly 5,000 people came through the Health and Wellness Tent, which was also the site for the Nebraska AgrAbility booth. More
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On Thursday, September 18th, NM AgrAbility and NM's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation teamed up to present NM AgrAbility's first "Day on the Farm!" at New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas. During the DOF, NM AgrAbility collaborated with NMSU researchers who discussed their ongoing studies of tomatoes, agrivoltaics, alfalfa, and green chili breeding and harvesting. More
On September 19th, NM AgrAbility partner University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Graduate Program's class of 2026 & 2027 OT students completed home safety evaluations and vision screens at the 2025 NM Falls Coalition falls prevention event in Albuquerque, NM. Students informed attendees of NM AgrAbility's services for farmers and ranchers with access needs.
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From September 22 to 23, the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program, a partner of NM AgrAbility, hosted its annual assistive technology conference in Albuquerque. This year's conference, "Empower Yourself with Assistive Technology," included NM's own Mary Thelander Hill and UNM OT graduate student Morgan Lujan. More
| | Another successful Farm Science Review is in the books! Over 113,000 people attended, and although not all stopped by the Ohio AgrAbility/ag safety tent, hundreds did stop, and staff, farmers, and volunteers were kept very busy talking about Ohio AgrAbility services and assistive technology. More | | |
Several OSU Extension educators from across the state staffed the games and distributed farm stress balls. The AgrAbility team included Laura Akgerman, Randy Joseph, and Rachel Jarman, as well as Sarah Jordan from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Karen Evans from LifeLyfts, Nick McCabe from McCabe Outdoor Mobility, and Derek and Michael Gaerke from DM Carts. More
The 80+ degree heat was no match for their energy all three days of the review as they talked to farm families, ag students, media, ag industry representatives, and legislators about agricultural safety and health initiatives in the state.
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September also marked the end of inclusive livestock shows at Ohio county fairs. By the end of the month, Ohio AgrAbility Program (OAP) staff had attended 27 shows and provided medals for an additional 3 shows, totaling more than 700 medals awarded this summer. More
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Linda Fetzer and Haze Orner delivered an overview presentation on AgrAbility to the Mifflinburg Young Farmers group on September 8.
Additionally, Ms. Fetzer shared AgrAbility resources during her presentation at the Northumberland County Conservation District Farm Safety Day, and in a recent recording for the "Agronomy Highlights" podcast with the Penn State Extension Field and Forage Team, which focused on safety and health during harvest season.
On September 17, the Center for Dairy Excellence invited AgrAbility to participate in its monthly "All Things Dairy" industry call, where Ms. Fetzer provided an overview of AgrAbility services and assistive technology solutions.
Marci Walborn facilitated educational presentations about AgrAbility PA for OT/OTA students at Misericordia University (9/26) and Slippery Rock University (9/18). Em Kase facilitated educational presentations about AgrAbility PA for OT/OTA students virtually for Lackawanna College (9/22) and Jefferson University (9/23).
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One hundred sixty graduated from Tennessee State University's 2025 TN New Farmer Academy flagship seven-month program. This program provided classroom learning, hands-on training, and vital resources for beginning farmers. More
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TN AgrAbility showcased assistive technology for helping farmers keep farming at TN State University's biggest ag event of the year, TSU Small Farm Expo. This event brought together farmers, students, and educators for tours and sessions on topics related to goat and meat production, organic farming, beekeeping, and more.
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TN AgrAbility showcased assistive technology tools at the UT TSU Extension Central Region retirees luncheon at Cahoot's Restaurant with 22 in attendance.
TN AgrAbility exhibited at the 2026 UTIA Ag Day, themed "Farming for the Future." Attendees enjoyed exhibits, animals, and interactive activities celebrating agricultural innovation and community. TN AgrAbility highlighted tractor safety and some ergonomic gardening tools. Staff are grateful to the UTIA family and friends for this fun tradition with UT ag alumni!
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Hardeman County Master Gardener's invited TN AgrAbility to speak at their September meeting with 24 in attendance. Attendees learned different assistive technology tools.
TN AgrAbility exhibited at the UTIA East Tennessee AgResearch Education Center's first Hort, Hops & Crops Field Day with over 150 attendees. Topics included horticulture, hops, turf, and organic crop research at the UT Plant Sciences Research Farm
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AgrAbility proudly participated in National Farm Safety and Health Week, appearing on RFD-TV on September 22 to promote Farm Safety Week. Later that day, AgrAbility presented "Agriculture & Road Safety as We Age" for AgriSafe, reaching a national audience with critical insights on aging and rural roadway safety.
https://www.rfdtv.com/farm-safety-week-road-safety-and-agriculture-as-we-age
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AgrAbility presented "Empowering Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities through Assistive Technology: Building Inclusive Rural Communities" to the Viva La Viva Conference for Assistive Technology on September 25th at the University of Texas.
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A Share Fair was held in College Station for new AgriLife Extension employees. This event gave new agents an opportunity to see what is offered and a chance for AgrAbility and Battleground to Breaking Ground to explain one-on-one the services offered to their residents.
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AgrAbility of Utah staff set up a vendor booth at the Sevier County Conservation Fair in Salina, Utah, on September 10 and were able to visit with many of the farmers and ranchers from central Utah who attended.
On September 15, AgrAbility presented at the Organic by Design Workshop in Wellsville, Utah. The workshop included speakers and a tour of a 16-acre soon-to-be organic farm. The event was sponsored by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program and Utah State University Extension.
AgrAbility staff presented to members of the Cache Interagency Council in Logan, UT on September 22.
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AgrAbility Virginia is working with a multitude of farmers across the state, including a beekeeper looking for assistive technology for hive mobility and bottling efficiency. The team is collaborating with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to identify the most effective solutions.
This month, staff released two new publications: Occupational Therapy: How to Meet the Needs of Farmers and Physical Therapy: How to Meet the Needs of Farmers (see "AgrAbility in the News" section below) and participated in several outreach events, including the Chesterfield Public Schools Summer Food Initiative, Kenner Army Hospital Family Days, and Kentland Farm Field Day.
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AgrAbility of Wisconsin continues to maintain a strong partnership with the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Over the past year, DVR provided more than $1,000,000 in funding to AgrAbility clients for equipment and assistive technology. More
Outreach Program Coordinator Michelle Bachand participated in the quarterly meeting of the Wisconsin Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee (ISFAC) on September 4. WI ISFAC is a collaborative network focused on connecting service members, veterans, and their families with essential community resources. More
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Outreach Program Coordinator Michelle Bachand joined Extension Agriculture Educator Jerry Clark at the Low Disturbance Manure Application Field Day. With over 80 attendees, Michelle shared information about the AgrAbility of Wisconsin program between equipment demonstrations, connecting with farmers and agricultural professionals to raise awareness of available resources.
AgrAbility of Wisconsin distributed its quarterly digital newsletter in September. The newsletter was shared via email, posted on the AgrAbility website, and linked through the program's Facebook page to reach a broad audience. More
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Children face few regulations regarding the age at which they may engage in farm work or the types of tasks they are allowed to perform. AgrAbility for Africa staff are particularly concerned about the high injury rates among youth and children reported across the agricultural sector. More
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Click titles below for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects.
| | Click titles below for other news of interest to AgrAbility staff members. | | | | |
