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Director's Message
Greetings,
I hope this e-newsletter finds you all healthy during this continued turbulent time we are all navigating. Many of us are operating day to day with the hope that soon we will have some break in the fog of COVID restrictions, but we continue to press on. As we all know, we operate in a primarily virtual environment with mixed reviews on the effectiveness and attention span involved with so much screen time. However, some exciting opportunities have emerged through our forced exploration of the virtual world. Check out the information below to take advantage of some of those expanded opportunities.
In other news, I am extremely excited to announce the addition of a new talent to our team. Erin Main will be joining us in the role of AgrAbility service administrator. She is an occupational therapist by trade who will be working with the AgrAbility program part-time, beginning this week. She will assist with program development and stakeholder engagement for the program. She grew up on a farm and has a passion for using her technical skills to assist those working in agriculture. I look forward to you all meeting her and we look forward to putting her expertise into action serving the program.
As a reminder, the AKAgrAbility program is managed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and is funded nationally through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the program is to help bring awareness, education, technical on-site assessments and resources to help Alaskans who work in an agricultural industry and may have a barrier that limits their independence. This could be due to a disability, injury or through the aging process. Extension partners with Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) to help determine assistive technology that may be needed to carry out day-to-day activities necessary for employment or quality of life. No matter what the reason for the impairment, the program works to connect clients in a holistic approach. We have been working to find alternative means to provide technical on-site assessments during our COVID restrictions. We appreciate your patience and hope to be back to providing on-site, in-person assessments as soon as we are able. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or would like more information about becoming an AKAgrAbility client at [email protected] or 907-786-6330.
On behalf of our team, we look forward to working with you.
Stay well,
DeShana York, Director
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Winter Safety
Avoid Falls
When salted ice melts and then refreezes, it can turn your walkways into a skating rink. Instead of throwing down more salt, consider using wood ashes or gravel to break up icy surfaces and add traction to walkways, roadways and parking areas.
Prevent Frostbite
Frostbite can happen when skin tissue freezes either by cold air, wind chill or touching cold metal with bare skin. Body areas most likely to frostbite include nose, ears, fingers and toes.
To prevent this from happening to you, be sure to dress appropriately for the cold weather, keep your clothing dry or change wet clothes as soon as possible, stay hydrated and be able to recognize all the signs of frostbite, including frostnip!Dive deeper into these tips here.
Keep Emergency Supplies on Hand
Make sure you're prepared for an accident if it should happen, by having a safety kit on you or in your vehicle. Some safety kits can't be stored below a certain temperature so be sure to check your safety kit for specifications.
Prepare a Reliable Communication System
In extreme cold, communication devices can freeze and become inoperable. If you plan on relying on a communication device, be sure to do research to find the device that will work in your area. For example, a heavy duty satellite phone may be a good option. In addition to having a communication device, consider setting up a family plan in case your device does not work properly or if you live in an area where a communication device is not an option. Let someone know when you plan on returning home and how long they should wait before sending help.
Winterize Your Vehicle or Machinery
Before using, check antifreeze and gas to be sure you have enough in the case of an emergency. Insulate metallic handles with rubber, plastic or wood that can still be accessed with gloved hands. Know what to do if there is a winter storm, review winter storm plans, check supplies and stay informed.
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Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Program
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Thirteen states have joined together to form a network funded by a USDA Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network grant to share resources. Data shows that high levels of stress are present in agricultural communities in a variety of categories. One main mission of the network is to cultivate rural resilience for all, including farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers as they are exposed to and navigate stressful situations. The University of Alaska Fairbanks AgrAbility & Extension programs are part of the network and will provide training and other resources moving forward as a result of participating in this Western region effort. To find out more about the network and search a clearinghouse of resources, visit https://farmstress.us/.
Farm Aid works with organizations around the country staffed with farm advocates, counselors and hotline operators who can help you in your time of greatest need. If you need someone to talk to, call 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) and support advocates will do their best to direct you to someone who can help. Note: Currently the Farm Aid Line operates 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Hours of operation are expected to expand soon. If you are in crisis or experiencing unmanageable amounts of stress, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides free and confidential emotional suport to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call! If you prefer to text, you can text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is there for any crisis. A live, trained crisis counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.
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Funding Opportunity
The Division of Agriculture is excited to announce that it is accepting initial "scoping" applications for the new Micro Grants for food security. Follow the link below for more details and the application. The due date for initial applications is Feb. 15, 2021.
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AKAgrAbility Spotlight: Erin Main, OTD, OTR/L
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The AKAgrAbility program is excited to add Erin Main as the AgrAbility service administrator to our team. Erin will work part-time and assist with program development to include work with partnerships and community stakeholders. She will be developing the relationship with the AgrAbility program and UAA students in the Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. She will also be working with the team to continue to expand outreach to build understanding around occupations, health, disabilities and agriculture.
Erin is a pediatric occupational therapist at Southcentral Foundation, in Anchorage in the Child and Family Developmental Services Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from Johnson & Wales University and a doctorate of occupational therapy from Creighton University. Erin has a strong interest in rural health, relationship based care, autism, sensory processing disorders, childhood trauma, and the impact of the natural world on human growth and development. Previously, she taught leadership, outdoor education and wilderness skills. She was born and raised on a family farm in rural Nebraska and is a former 4-H'er.
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Technology Corner: The HEFT Shovel/Tool Handle
This ergonomic secondary handle attaches in less than one second to virtually any kind of shovel, rake, broom or similar handled tool making them easier to use. Once attached, you can lean into the secondary handle and take stress off your back. It has been proven to work in 31 below temperatures and can easily be hung up in the garage along with other tools. AKAgrAbility's nonprofit partner, Assistive Technology of Alaska, has the heft shovel/tool handle in their loan closet for any Alaskan to borrow so they may determine if it is the right fit for them.
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Upcoming Events
Tuesdays: Feb. 2 - Aug. 31, 2021, 9-10:30 a.m.
Registration is open! The AgrAbility NTW is the foremost educational event addressing issues related to disability in agriculture. These sessions will cover topics such as agriculture as therapy, preventing secondary injuries, assistive technology for agriculture, adding value to your farm, dealing with stress and veterans in agriculture.
Feb. 8-11
The AgrAbility team will be attending interactive virtual booth times to answer questions and provide resources about the program.
Mar. 4-5
Catch our presentation on accessible gardening at 3:15 p.m. on March 4th.
Mar. 24
Watch for an update on how we're spending Ag Day!
Mar 20
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Women represent 47% of the farmers in Alaska! Join with women in agriculture from across the state on this day of connection, networking, information exchange and fun. Hear directly from producers across many different industries and decades. We'll honor the past, acknowledge the incredible times we're in today and look forward to what's on the horizon. We'll have breakout sessions both by region AND by industry. Who else is growing flowers? Register by Feb. 14 to receive your FREE Women in Ag T-shirt. This meeting will be held via Zoom at no cost to attendees.
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The is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual. Learn more about UA's notice of nondiscrimination.
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