Minnesota AgrAbility Project (MAP)-Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota (G/ESM) awarded 20 mini-grants to farmers who had received MAP services but had not received funded Vocational Rehabilitation Services. By the end of September, over $53,905 in mini-grants were awarded to farmers who responded to the G/ESM mini-grant application in June 2009. Farmers could request up to $3,000 for items that would increase their safety,decrease their risk for secondary injury or improve their independence and overall ease of operation. The items funded included watering systems, speed hitches, specialized tractor seating, ag cameras, steps/staircases, cattle chutes and other equipment or tools. These one- time grants were from funds set aside by G/ESM to assist farmers with disabilities and other chronic health conditions and who did not have other financial resources.
Submitted by: Maureen Gaedy