November 2022
A monthly update for AgrAbility projects and friends of AgrAbility
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Annual Staff Needs Assessment. NAP evaluator Brian French is scheduled to send out a request for SRAP staff members to complete the 2022 Annual Staff Needs Assessment (ASNA). This is an opportunity for SRAPs to provide feedback about NAP’s services, resources, and future direction. If you: are from a SRAP funded during the 2021-22 project year; started before 9/1/22; and aren’t paid by NAP in any way, you should receive a survey invitation within a week. If you don’t please contact jones@purdue.edu. |
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2023 NTW Updates:
- Don't forget that the farmer stipend applications are due December 15th. The application can be found on the NTW website on the Stipends tab.
- The date has passed to submit a presentation proposal. The planning committee is reviewing the submissions this month and plans to have a tentative schedule by December. Staff are also hoping to open registration around the middle of December, so watch for that next month.
- Interested persons can still submit an application to display a poster. Access the Call for Posters here.
- Please continue to reach out to businesses and organizations that might want to participate either as an exhibitor or a sponsor. You can access the Exhibitor/Sponsor Google form here. If a paper version is needed to share, that can be found on the NTW website under the Exhibitor or Sponsor tabs. Please feel free to share these links.
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Regional Workshop in Reno, NV - The last day to register is November 18th!! Join us in Reno at the Silver Legacy Resort November 29th - December 1st. The event will be focusing on worksite assessment, AT, Western Regional Stress Assistance Program, and mental health/wellness, along with some small group discussions. On December 1st, a tour will visit Lattin Farms, Frey Farm and Distillery, and WolfPack Meats. The agenda and registration link are on the NAP website.
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AgrAbility/North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center webinar: “Corn, Cattle, and a Flask of Whiskey: Understanding stress and substance use in agricultural and rural populations.” Wednesday, November 30 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET. www.agrability.org/training-category/upcoming/
Join us for a monthly Zoom discussion on “Safety During Farm Visits,” Tuesday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Leading the discussion will be Bob Fetsch and Candy Leathers from Colorado AgrAbility who are working on a fact sheet on this topic.
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The National AgrAbility Project helped staff the AgrAbility booth again this year at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI. Chuck Baldwin (NAP) worked there with Annie Klahn of AgrAbility of Wisconsin for a couple of days. More
Paul Jones gave web presentations for the Amputee Coalition (October 14) and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators’ Service Access Subgroup (October 17), the latter along with Maureen Cunningham of the Brain Injury Association of Missouri and Missouri AgrAbility.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2022 AgrAbility Virtual State Fair - to those who posted on Facebook and Twitter and those who followed the event. In addition to the NAP, 14 funded SRAPs and 2 affiliates shared their initiatives and impacts during the October event. You can still view their posts at www.facebook.com/AgrAbilityVSF and twitter.com/AgrabilityVSF. |
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The National AgrAbility Project participated with the SAY Group in a safety exhibit at the 2022 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Convention attendance was estimated at over 63,000 FFA members, advisors, and family members. More
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The Walk-Behind Tractor - also called a two-wheeled or walking tractor - allows the user to perform a multitude of tasks in small areas without digging or lifting. It accommodates over 20 different attachments and is popular in high tunnel hoop houses, where farm size is small, and/or where the terrain steep and rugged. It can go where four-wheel compact tractors can't. Most makes/models come with: reversible handlebars giving it front or rear PTO, independently engaged PTO, multi-speed forward and reverse, steering brakes, lockable wheel differential, and easy-interchange implement system.
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The AKAgrAbility team has been busy following up with current clients and working to hire and expand the team to assist with increased engagement of the project. In addition, the Alaska project is partnering heavily with the Alaska Farm Bureau to have an increased presence at the 2nd Annual Alaska Farm Bureau & Trade Show in November. More
Art Nash, Jonathan Kamler (Ph.D. candidate in the UAF-Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Extension) and Debu Misra had a town hall style discussion with the attendees of the Alaska Rural Water Association meeting at the end of October. More
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California AgrAbility Program (affiliate) staff were invited to present "A History of AgrAbility in California" for the California Employment Development Department (EDD) Sutter-Yuba office outreach staff. More
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As part of the Puentes Network, California AgrAbility participated in the Knights Landing Fall Health Fair. Attendees were offered free health exams and took part in cooking and gardening demos. More
California Arability will be hosting the upcoming Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP) Network Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, December 8th. More
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The Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) and Colorado State University Extension (CSUE) are looking for four full-time regional Extension behavioral health specialists to work with the CAP team to provide in-the-field stress management information and education to farmers and ranchers, More
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The First Annual Colorado Agricultural Behavioral Health and Well-being Summit was held on September 28th-29th. AgWell had the privilege of hosting the summit of organizations that serve the behavioral health needs of Colorado's farmers, ranchers, ag workers, and rural communities. More
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Florida's first-ever AgrAbility project has been initiated by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF). More
Florida AgrAbility attended the Extension Professionals Association of Florida Conference at the end of August. This was an opportunity to briefly introduce the AgrAbility project to the Extension professionals. More
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Georgia AgrAbility exhibited at the 2022 Sunbelt Agricultural Expo. Staff were very excited to have the University of Florida join them this year! The exhibit included companies that produce or sell assistive technology used by farmers with disabilities, More
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Georgia AgrAbility is thankful to P.H.A.R.M. DOG USA for providing a dog to one of its clients. P.H.A.R.M. DOG USA brought the dog and trained the farmer on October 25-27. The farmer instantly bonded with the dog named Skippy. More
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The Shepherd Center Hospital is GA AgrAbility's non-profit partner. The hospital has started a tool checkoff program that evaluates a patient's tool use after a brain injury. AgrAbility staff helped to train therapists at the Shepherd Center on how to use power tools safely. More
Georgia AgrAbility will be hosting a tractor safety and driving workshop in Blairsville, Georgia, November 4th. More
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Indiana AgrAbility held its second semi-annual advisory team meeting at Purdue's ADM building October 12th. Twenty people attended in-person and one advisor via Zoom. Items of business or discussion included, among others: More
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Staff attended the Maine OT Association conference "Contextual Diversity: New Frontiers of OT Practice" and presented "Working with Land and Sea Farmers through the Lens of OT." Thirty people saw the presentation and 10s of brochures were provided to increase awareness of Maine AgrAbility's role in working with farmers with disabilities. |
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Survey results from Maine's Boots-2-Bushels: Boot Camp for Market Gardeners highlighted that trauma is widespread, regardless of veteran affiliation. Data suggests that B2B has a positive effect on post-traumatic stress growth and community reintegration. |
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Michigan AgrAbility staff are continuing to work with their farmers throughout harvest season and are currently helping a farmer obtain new equipment. |
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Since the beginning of the new school year, Missouri AgrAbility implemented six 4-H Save Your Brain SPIN Clubs in three counties and reached 413 youth. Staff currently are in the process of recruiting new Save Your Brain ambassadors for this 4-H program year. More
David Middleton, MO AgrAbility consultant, attended the Hermann FFA Farm Safety Day on behalf of MU Extension Missouri AgrAbility and educated 80 students on power take-off safety. More
Missouri AgrAbility staff participated in the "Implementing Home Modifications in a Community-Based Setting" given by Emily Somerville. More
Missouri AgrAbility continues to focus its social media efforts on program promotion and, this month, the AgrAbility Virtual State Fair. Please make sure to like and follow Missouri AgrAbility @MOAgrAbility, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. |
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Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (ISFOP) outreach workers utilized the Jessup Wagon 2.0 to provide an extending-the-growing-season train-the-trainer workshop for the Barry County Missouri Master Gardeners. More
Missouri AgrAbility was highlighted during the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Annual Statewide Conference through a presentation by Karen Funkenbusch, Missouri AgrAbility PI. More
Maureen Cunningham with BIA-MO shared successes of Missouri AgrAbility with brain injury program managers from across the country during an Access to Service workgroup of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Grant federal program. More
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Emily Jacobson set up at the YMCA Fieldhouse in Norfolk, Nebraska, for "Amazing Morning." The event was hosted by Northeast Nebraska Down Syndrome Association. It was well attended with over 100 families! More
Nebraska AgrAbility features several stories and case studies on the web site. More
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New Mexico AgrAbility Project is working to coordinate a curriculum to encourage health care professionals to leverage three-dimensional printing to support occupations of food growing as well as how to engage rehabilitation professionals and food-producers in injury prevention through brief, engaging social media posts. Staff will share links and more as their activities develop. |
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The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at NC A&T State University participated in the NC State Fair in Raleigh, NC, from October 13 - 23. The exhibit highlighted the programs available in the college and the AgrAbility program. Thousands of people attended the event, and 70 attendees took information about the program to share with family and friends.
NC AgrAbility trained Extension agents as NC AgrAbility ambassadors on October 3 at the state Extension conference in Greensboro, NC. Four participants were able to learn more about AgrAbility by participating in the intermediate level training. They took AgrAbility tools and materials to enhance their county programs.
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Ohio AgrAbility staff were recently reminded of how farmers benefit from AgrAbility services and how pieces of equipment, both simple and complex, impact productivity. Ohio farmers Steve and Julie McFalls attended the Farm Science Review in September and were effusive in their praise of the new equipment Steve had received from Ohio's vocational rehabilitation agency Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). More
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The month of October brought beautiful weather, mild temperatures, and fall foliage across the state of Pennsylvania, but it was also a busy month for the AgrAbility PA team. Take a read through some of the project highlights. |
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Staff members Linda Fetzer and Abbie Spackman and an AgrAbility PA farmer presented to the Penn State Extension Women Rooted in Ag group. The session is available on the PSU Extension website. More
Abbie Spackman attended the Centre County PA Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. AgrAbility PA supporters introduced policy wording to help support farmers with disabilities and farmers facing health emergencies. The policies were approved by the county membership and will be moved on to the state level in November.
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Abbie attended the PA Farm Link advisory board meeting held at Grow Pittsburgh's Braddock Farms. Part of the meeting was spent touring the urban farm that thrives next to an operational steel mill and within view of Kennywood amusement park. More
AgrAbility PA staff participated in several NAP-related activities including the AgrAbility Virtual State Fair (VSF), National Training Workshop planning meeting, and the Zoom session: "AT Act Programs & AT Loan Libraries."
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AgrAbility PA held its advisory board meeting in October. Familiar and new faces combined with fresh ideas and suggestions filled the day-long meeting. This board is crucial to the work carried out by the AgrAbility PA staff year-round. Much gratitude and appreciation for the time and commitment of this group of individuals. |
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Staff member Kendra Martin participated in several opportunities to highlight AgrAbility PA during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October) including: More
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Thank you to National AgrAbility for showcasing all the AgrAbility states at the Virtual State Fair! Another successful fair and great examples of the impact AgrAbility is making nationwide! TN AgrAbility was featured October 21 on Facebook and Twitter. TN AgrAbility received positive feedback from farmers and partners who participated. |
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TN AgrAbility in collaboration with the TN Department of Human Services celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month by co-hosting the Resource Ability Assistive Technology Access Fair in Lebanon, TN. More
A training session was held for Vocational Rehabilitation counselors lead by STAR Center and UT Extension. TNAP and VR talked about ways they can strengthen assistive technology services for farmers with disabilities. Future trainings are planned.
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TN AgrAbility set up an AgrAbility display at the 2022 TN Association of Rescue Squads Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN. Staff completed the Technical Large Animal Emergency Response training course while in attendance. |
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TN AgrAbility participated in the Gibson and Carrol Counties' Ag Leadership Days. Participants learned about the program and disability awareness. |
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Fourth graders learned the importance of wearing helmets at the TN AgrAbility station during the Fayette County Farm Fest. One of the group leaders who had visited the station several times that day, volunteered to teach the last group that came through. |
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Texas AgrAbility staff presented to occupational therapy students at the University of St. Augustine about "Disability in the Agriculture Workplace."
AgrAbility staff met with the AgriSafe Network to discuss new project goals and potential partnerships.
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BattleGround to Breaking Ground staff held a two-day event for Skillbridge (STP) participants covering topics such as farm safety, value-added products, equine management and more.
BattleGround to Breaking Ground staff hosted a webinar covering the application process for a tuition waiver to cohort 13, which begins in January.
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AgrAbility of Utah staff presented and answered questions about AgrAbility for the staff of Options for Independence on October 3. Options for Independence is an Independent Living Center that serves the counties of Rich, Box Elder, and Cache in northern Utah.
On Oct. 12, AgrAbility staff visited with the staff of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation in Ibapah, Utah, and informed them about AgrAbility and gave them brochures for their office. The Confederated Goshute Tribe has over 600 members and their reservation is in West Central Utah.
AgrAbility staff visited the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation headquarters in Ogden, UT, on Oct. 17 and educated them about AgrAbility and gave them brochures for their office. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation has 620 members in Northern Utah and Southeastern Idaho.
On Oct. 18-19, AgrAbility staff presented and set up a booth at the Central Utah Grazing Expo that was held at two different locations. The first day was in Richfield, UT, and the second day was in Price, UT, and was attended by many ranchers in central Utah.
AgrAbility of Utah staff presented virtually and answered questions about AgrAbility for the staff of Active Re-Entry on Oct. 26. Active Re-Entry is an Independent Living Center that serves the seven counties of eastern Utah. The seven counties within the service district include: Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah, Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan.
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AgrAbility Virginia was a popular topic for many audiences during the month of October. The team presented about AgrAbility to a range of groups, including: More
Program Coordinator Garland Mason was invited to present virtually to Virginia Tech University CALS alumnus, where she shared how AgrAbility assists farmers and gardeners across the state. More
The team finished off the month with an in-person advisory group meeting, filled with vibrant discussion, networking, and planning for the next year.
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WA State AgrAbility Program (WSAP) confirmed the continuation of their AgrAbility grant for year four.
In November, WRASAP team members will be presenting and/or exhibiting at the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, Washington Tilth Conference, Washington Grain Growers Conference, and the Western Region AgrAbility Conference in Reno, Nevada.
The WSAP team created a video to highlight the difference that AgrAbility has made in client Deb Eidsness's life. The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/NHoy3J_4tVs.
New staff completed three successful home visits in October and currently have one scheduled home visit for November.
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Social interaction opportunities, the capacity to live independently, and contributing to different aspects of society are limited when a person's mobility is restricted. AgrAbility for Africa's mission is to eradicate obstacles that limit comfort and independent living through partnerships and collaborations. More
Across Africa, close to 100% of persons with disabilities are unemployed or are outside the work force, and those that are employed receive little or no monetary remuneration. This is because they are seen has adding little value to the organizations. More
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BattleGround to Breaking Ground is pleased to welcome Heidi Barber to the program as a program coordinator! Heidi started with the program as a participant in cohort 4 before becoming the farm manager for FEAT, one of our training farms. We are excited that Heidi will be continuing with the program in her new role as program coordinator. |
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The Washington State AgrAbility Program (WSAP) hired Alyssa Wade and Emily Whittier to fill the full-time benefited AgrAbility/farm stress/suicide prevention AP co-coordinators positions. They will move from part-time to full-time beginning December 1st. This change will take us from four part-time co-coordinators to two full-time and two part-time co-coordinators. We look forward to seeing everyone in March at the NTW. In the meantime, Go Cougs! |
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Congratulations to Richard "Dick" Straub on receiving the 2022 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Dick has a 40-year career with the biological systems engineering department and was the PI for the AgrAbility of Wisconsin program. Thanks for all your help and support over the years! |
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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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