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Next AgrAbility all-staff virtual meeting: Monday, December 16, 3:00 p.m. EDT. Contact jonesp@purdue.edu if you didn't receive details.

NTW Updates

• Registration is open! Visit www.agrability.org/ntw and click the Register tab.
• The committee has reviewed all the session proposals, and a schedule is now posted on the NTW website. Poster proposals will be accepted through December 31. Click Call for Poster or see the form link on the website.
• Rooms at the Hotel Encanto have been blocked for us at a rate of $110.00 per night, plus a $10 amenity fee and applicable taxes. Please use Booking Link: 2503AGRABI to book your accommodation online. More
• The travel stipend request deadline is January 10. SRAPs should provide a travel stipend to a farmer/rancher before requesting NAP stipends from that state. Reach out to local organizations to see if they can help stipend a farmer. The link to the farmer stipend application has been sent out to the SRAPs and is available on the NTW website.
• Exhibitor applications are also available on the NTW website, or you can have them contact Tess McKeel.
• Start thinking about auction items and raffle baskets. We always have a good time with both, and they help raise money for farmer stipends.

Congratulations to Joe Ricker, veteran outreach coordinator for both National AgrAbility and Indiana AgrAbility, on being named recipient of the first-ever Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence presented by the American Farm Bureau Federation with support from Farm Credit. More

NAP has added new web-based resources for conducting worksite assessments featuring training modules from the AgrAbility regional workshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Included are classroom session recordings on a wide variety of topics plus extensive video footage from a sample farm assessment, such as clips related to the initial pre-assessment discussion, the client’s meeting with a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and assessment of various structures and equipment around the farm. More

Newly archived virtual events:

• NTW Encore Webinar: “A Novel Approach to Pain Management For Farmers + Let’s Mooove: Movement and Self-Massage for Longevity & Productivity on the Farm” www.agrability.org/training-category/archived

AgrAbility staff attended a Veterans Day event at Docs Healing Hives. This organization provides an opportunity for veterans to learn beekeeping skills, engage in hands-on hive management, and develop camaraderie within a supportive community. The event was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new learning center to increase its capacity to serve veterans.

Staff are continuing to assist AgrAbility farmers with physical cleanup from Hurricane Helene. Some of the farmers received extreme damage from the storm. Staff have also been working diligently to provide our farmers with up-to-date information on hurricane relief funding from the USDA and the state of Georgia. 

The AgrAbility veteran coordinator attended the We Care Veteran Fair, which aimed to educate veterans on disability services, educational benefits, and employment opportunities. Georgia continues to lead efforts statewide to promote positive mental health and connecting resources and programs for the nation's heroes.

Illinois AgrAbility is wrapping up an in-person chronic pain self-management class with 10 participants in Sullivan, IL. This class is six weeks and utilizes problem solving, action planning, interactive activities, and more to educate participants on how to better manage their lifestyles when dealing with chronic pain.

Illinois AgrAbility will be facilitating a "Ticket to Health" health screening booth at the annual Illinois Farm Bureau meeting in Chicago in December. This booth will contain a variety of different FREE health screenings for Farm Bureau members to optionally participate in. More

Illinois AgrAbility hosted a ladder safety booth at the National FFA Convention in October where they hosted over 1,000 high school aged youth. Staff will be heading to the Peoria Farm Show in December to present a workshop and host a booth featuring AgrAbility, farm stress, mental health, and more.

The Rooted and Resilient Homesteading Conference, sponsored by Purdue Extension, was held in Kendallville, Indiana, November 1 & 2. The program was attended by participants from throughout northern Indiana, along with many from nearby Ohio and Michigan. More

ITC Holdings is donating $50,000 per year for three years to Michigan county Farm Bureaus for purchase of grain bin safety training and equipment. This will open up opportunities for Michigan AgrAbility to help clients prevent secondary injuries while managing grain storage.

Ned Stoller and Samantha Wolfe conducted an assistive technology for beekeepers presentation for a beekeeping guild and demonstrated several types of hand tools, hive lifters, and a swarm trap lifter.

Staff braved the early season snow to meet with several new clients and conduct initial assessments with them. Next, they look forward to the winter conference season and various expos and outreach opportunities.

University of Missouri Extension and Missouri AgrAbility continue to work with certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) students with the University of Missouri Department of Occupational Therapy. Both groups of COTA students are finalizing their community practice projects and will present their results in December.

Missouri AgrAbility was recognized as the Rural Missouri Track Sponsor by nearly 250 AgrAbility clients of professionals, persons with brain injury, and family members who attended the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Annual Statewide Conference between November 7 - 9 Chesterfield, Missouri. A featured session that highlighted rural Missouri was "Changes in the Workplace" presented by Doug Swanson, with the University of Missouri Extension, a Missouri AgrAbility partner.

Maureen Cunningham, BIA-MO executive director, and Susan Jaster, Lincoln University farm outreach worker, led a NAP discussion on "Brain Injury Causes, Effects, and Suggestions for Working with Farmers with Brain Injury" on November 13. There were great questions and discussion to increase the knowledge and perspective of participants.

On November 8, Emily Jacobson participated in the Stand Up for Veterans Event in Norfolk, Nebraska. This was an important opportunity to share information about AgrAbility with nearly 100 veterans and their families. More

Jada Zimmer (Ruff) represented Nebraska AgrAbility at the Gateway Farm Expo in Kearney, Nebraska, on November 20 and 21. Jada reports that there were many conversations and opportunities to connect with potential clients and families of past clients. More

On November 22, Emily Jacobson and Kara Brichacek staffed a booth at the annual Ag-Ceptional Women's Conference. Nearly 350 people participated in the event. The Nebraska AgrAbility module at the event was focused on caregiver resources. More

Emily Jacobson completed follow-up visits with clients in November. They were so excited about their new assistive equipment. More

The AgrAbility exhibit at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum is scheduled for a walkthrough Tuesday, January 14 at 1:00 p.m. and the official opening on Thursday, January 23 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception. 

Farm apprentices will graduate on December 19. Staff will have great images of the graduation party in the new year. The apprentices have been planting tulips and garlic and protecting planted cold-weather crops for the winter season. 

Mandy's Farm, New Mexico AgrAbility's non-profit partner, is building its next cohort of apprentices. Space is still available. 

UNM and NMAP team members have been invited to do a "Spring into Ergonomic Gardening" workshop with the Albuquerque Master Gardeners in January.

Two occupational therapy graduate students have completed field work II rotations at Mandy's farm. They will take the lessons they learned about the rigor of farm tasks into their lives as OTs.

Ohio AgrAbility is thankful for the Ohio farmers who trust OAP with their time, stories, hospitality, and faith that OAP can help them to continue farming for years to come. The commitment the farmers show to their families, farms, and communities is deep, and their generosity for mentoring other farmers, attending outreach and peer events, and willingness to tell their stories to the media helps OAP spread the word about AgrAbility services. 

OAP appreciates the students, SRAP colleagues, and friends who support OAP through fundraisers, time, capstone projects and expertise that they share with farmers, Extension educators, and stakeholders across the state.

OAP is very grateful for the stellar Ohio team who works so hard to serve farmers, educate everyone they encounter, and spread the word that famers with disabilities can not only continue farming, but can thrive and prosper.

AgrAbility PA provided an assistive technology presentation in collaboration with the DuBois Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) for an assistive technology awareness day. The event was attended by OVR staff, OTA students, and members of the public. More

Many events have occurred for the South Carolina AgrAbility team to participate in and distribute information about the program. These events are winding down for the year, but staff have already scheduled a few for the new year.

Able South Carolina staff joined South Carolina State Extension staff on November 19 at a Hartsville, South Carolina, community event called AgrAbility & Assistive Technology Workshop. Staff provided a presentation on Able SC services, including information on how the South Carolina AgrAbility Project supports small farming businesses operated by people with disabilities. More

TN AgrAbility staff had the opportunity to attend the Heart of Champions Livestock Show for Hardin County special education students hosted by University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) Sigma Alpha Sorority and organized by Taylor Cantrell, UTM vet science major. Due to weather, the show was cancelled, but that did not stop Taylor and Sigma Alpha. More

November 14 was recognized as National Usability Day. TN AgrAbility shared the importance of inclusive design and the work of disability centers in making technology accessible for all. More

TN AgrAbility observed Veteran's Day to honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom. As TN AgrAbility expressed gratitude through social media, it featured a local business, Honey Bee Mine Farm. More

TN AgrAbility ended November with being thankful for the opportunity to help build a strong and supportive community for people living with disabilities. Merry Christmas from TN AgrAbility!

AgrAbility of Utah was excited to set up a vendor table at the Society of Range Management (SRM) Annual Conference in Ephraim, Utah, on November 6th and 7th. Staff were able to meet with and explain AgrAbility to many of the 150 attendees. More

On November 15, AgrAbility staff presented to Utah Rural Healthcare ECHO members during their monthly webinar. More

AgrAbility staff set up a vendor booth at the Utah State Farm Bureau Convention in Provo, Utah, on November 22. Over 500 Farm Bureau members attended, and many were able to learn more about AgrAbility. More

This month, AgrAbility Virginia presented about the impact of farmer dinner theaters providing an engaging platform for education and community building. 

Staff also had the opportunity to present to 31 undergraduate students in the Virginia Tech "Identity and Inclusion in Agriculture and Life Sciences" course highlighting the mission of AgrAbility and importance of inclusion in agricultural practices. 

Currently, AgrAbility Virginia is actively supporting 38 open farmer client cases, each tailored to meet individual needs. One notable case involves a dairy farmer experiencing upper extremity mobility limitations. More

AgrAbility of Wisconsin staff hosted their annual Advisory Council meeting on November 1st. Progress updates were provided related to the AgrAbility grant and Easterseals' SDA grant. More

Outreach Program Coordinator Michelle Bachand hosted a booth at the first-ever expo held at UW-Madison Extension's annual All Colleague Conference on November 19th. Michelle had the opportunity to talk with Extension colleagues about the AgrAbility program... More

Easterseals Wisconsin is coordinating a video production that will share a story of success for AgrAbility of Wisconsin client, John Mitchell. Jeff Kratochwill, Easterseals FARM Program director, interviewed John,... More

Alaska

Julie Cascio, one of our enthusiastic Extension AgrAbility team members has retired. Since becoming part of the team, Julie had promoted AgrAbility at as many events as she was able to schedule, and she became very well versed in assistive technology for farming/gardening.

Missouri

LUCE ISFOP welcomes a new ISFOP director, Dr. Mark Lucas, and a new farm outreach worker in the central region, Bryan de Valdivia, to the team.

Pennsylvania

Congratulations to Abbie Spackman on her recent marriage! Her new last name is Abbie Kibe.

Wisconsin

AgrAbility of Wisconsin Outreach Program Coordinator Michelle Bachand was part of the team that received the Purdue Agriculture 2024 TEAM Award for their work on the Gearing Up for Safety curriculum. This program addresses the specific safety needs of young workers in agriculture - a sector often associated with hazardous tasks, especially for youth under the age of 16.

Click titles below for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects.

• From service to soil: veterans find new purpose in agriculture through AgrAbility (National AgrAbility Project, Indiana AgrAbility Project)
• Fire and rescue teams in Williamsburg County train for grain bin entrapments (AgrAbility in South Carolina)
• Free Slow Moving Vehicle Signs Now Available for Wisconsin Farmers Through AgrAbility of Wisconsin (AgrAbility of Wisconsin)
• AgrAbility Supports U.S. Veterans in Ag (National AgrAbility Project, Indiana AgrAbility Project)
• Heroes to Hives offers veterans training, camaraderie and purpose (Missouri AgrAbility Project)
• Your voice matters: How farmers can shape the future of AgrAbility (Michigan AgrAbility Project)
• Farmer defies odds, harvests record yield after brain injury (Illinois AgrAbility, National AgrAbility Project)
• Ohio’s AgrAbility program keeps farmers with disabilities farming (Ohio AgrAbility)
• Farmers seek ideas for profitability at farm show (Illinois AgrAbility)

Click titles below for other news of interest to AgrAbility staff members.

• Lincoln University Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program farm outreach workers Brian de Valdivia and Mary Keeter demonstrated safe handling of power tools and proper PPE at a hands-on mushroom inoculation workshop in St. Louis on Thursday, November 14th for 10 small-scale farmers.
• AgrAbility staff, Suzanna Windon, recently published an article related to sheep and goat producers in PA - Windon, S. R., & Henzi, C. (2024). Assessing Relationship Between Goat and Sheep Farmers' Stress and Their Demographics: A Pilot Study. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 30(3): 107-122. doi: 10.13031/jash.15820. Link to article.
• Three hundred Fayette/Hardeman County 5th graders arrived throughout the day at the Somerville Livestock Sale barn for the 2024 Farm Fest. They attended stations dealing with animals, bees, money, and helmet safety taught by TN AgrAbility staff. More
• TN AgrAbility introduced the 1st of four farm safety - "Being Safe on the Farm is Everyone's Responsibility," in-services in November for UT TSU Extension. More
• Fir the Love of Christmas: History of Christmas Tree Farms
• SARE Awards $8M to Food Loss and Waste Projects
• NASS Releases Additional Census of Agriculture Data
• Tractor tire design impacts on-road performance
• Forest, Water, and Sunshine: How Winter Escapes Heal Better Than Any Supplements
• Educators’ Classroom Implementation Kit From National FFA & AgCareers.com

Click here for professional development events related to AgrAbility.