National AgrAbility Project News
The Spanish arthritis and agriculture fotonovela, ¿Podrá ser la ARTRITIS lo que me causa DOLOR? (Is arthritis the cause of my pain?), is ready! More
The National AgrAbility Advisory Team recently met in Indianapolis. More
Arthritis and Agriculture workshops were presented in Vermont (April 14-15) and Maryland (April 29-30). More
The newly created Arthritis and Agriculture newsletter, Growing Pains, will debut its first issue in May. More
Jill Sump of Colorado AgrAbility recently represented AgrAbility for the NAP at the AOTA annual conference in Orlando.
Hotel reservations can now be made for the 2010 NTW. More
Check here for the schedule of upcoming Community of Interest and Standing Committee call information. More
State and Regional AgrAbility Project News
California
The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) has asked the director of CalAgrAbility to sit on the FVC national board. As a sponsor of March's FVC Career Fair, CalAgrAbility will co-sponsor the next event to be held in southern California this summer.
CalAgrAbility met with Fotonovelas del Valle to pick up the 5,000 copies of the Spanish arthritis and agriculture fotonovela to distribute throughout the US.The novelas were shipped to Amber Wolf to disseminate.
In April CalAgrAbility was marketed to over 75,000 attendees of the annual UC Davis Picnic Day where departments open up for the general public to view their activities.AgrAbility staffed a display where participants collected our publications.
In an effort to build health/prevention capacity in rural areas,a successful 3-day Arthritis Leader Workshop was conducted in rural Yolo County, where CalAgrAbility partnered with Arthritis Foundation to train new leaders/trainers to go into farming communities and present the 6-week self-help classes. More
The Small Farm Conference was successful in March with over 400 attendees and several CalAgrAbility farmers attending on scholarships. CalAgrAbility just kicked off a statewide planning committee for next year's conference to be held in San Jose.
The Small Farm Conference was successful in March with over 400 attendees and several CalAgrAbility farmers attending on scholarships. CalAgrAbility just kicked off a statewide planning committee for next year's conference to be held in San Jose.
Nebraska
AgrAbility is in the news and on the cover of the May 2010 issue of the Nebraska Farmer! The strong UNL-Extension and Easter Seals Nebraska Partnership working hand-in-hand with Vocational Rehabilitation. A special thanks to Don McCabe, Nebraska Farmer editor for his long-standing support of the AgrAbility project. More
Ohio
Ohio AgrAbility has been busy increasing public awareness about the AgrAbility program.Topics have included prevention of secondary injuries specifically with livestock handling and avoiding fatigue during spring planting. More
Oklahoma
Sandra Stevenson, Program Manager conducted a training session on AgrAbility at the Oklahoma Workforce Partners Conference in Oklahoma City April 1, 2010.Twenty attendees were presented information about the project, available services, disabilities, and assistive technologies.
Oklahoma AgrAbility hosted a booth on April 16th at the Stillwater Milling Company Customer Appreciation Day in which over 500 people participated in the annual luncheon.
Oklahoma AgrAbility and Oklahoma ABLE Tech hosted a booth on April 17th at the Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol in which over 440 people participated in legislative visits, gathering information on all types of services provided to Oklahomans with disabilities and an awards ceremony.
Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources hosted its annual Day at the Capitol in Oklahoma City April 21st to touch base with state legislators regarding research, extension and educational programs. More
Oklahoma AgrAbility hosted a booth at the 84th State FFA Convention April 27-28, 2010. More
Oklahoma AgrAbility was invited by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation to teach 238 fifth graders about farm safety and disabilities during their Progressive Safety Day.
Vermont
Tom Younkman of the Vermont AgrAbility Project successfully completed the 5 day Agricultural Health and Occupational Safety Training held in Vermont on April 7th-11th.
Janis Moore of the Vermont AgrAbility Project successfully completed the 3 day NAP Assessment Training held in Indiana April 12-15th. She is still in awe of the flat, rock-less farmland.
Two successful Arthritis Workshops were held in Vermont on April 14 & 15th with Amber Wolfe as the guest speaker.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), a public electric utility, provided powered wheelchairs to Farm Show visitors free of charge during the show, March 30 through April 1 in Oshkosh, WI. More
The Assistive Technology Exchange site is running and accessible at http://144.92.31.11/main.php More
West Virginia
WV AgrAbility staff presented Caring for Caregivers: Tools for Caregivers in Rural Areas at the West Virginia Chapter of National Association for Social Workers Conference,April 28-30th in Charleston. More
AgrAbility took part in the first Therapeutic Gardening Conference hosted by West Virginia State University. More
AgrAbility made its traditional showing at the annual Lawn, Garden, & Forestry Expo. More
Staff represented AgrAbility at six different Extension Educational Dinner meetings for farmers. More
WV AgrAbility has a new program brochure. The brochure has a new look, format, and more information on the services offered. You can check it out on the web page at www.wvagrability.org
Staff Changes
Wisconsin
After successfully herding the AgrAbility of Wisconsin program from its beginnings in 1991 through the latest grant award, and a successful National AgrAbility Project from 2000 – 2008, Ron Schuler is stepping down as Project Leader. More
AgrAbility in the News
Click here for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects
- Aggie journalists honored by SPJ
- P.H.A.R.M. dogs are farmhand, friend to disabled farmers
- Avoiding fatigue can prevent injuries on the farm
- Arthritis: The pain and farming
Other News
Click here for other news of interest to AgrAbility staff members
- Running down a dream: Leg amputee makes U.S. track team
- Remarks by the President at Signing of Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act
- Renew Rural America Photo Contest
- Savvy Lifestyle Site for the Disabled Is Off to Running Start
Upcoming Events
Click here for professional development events related to AgrAbility
Problems? Contact Clifford Racz, National AgrAbility Project, racz@purdue.edu