Program Coordinator Kevin Bell represented the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project at the national meeting of the Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) from July 11-13, 2010 in Tulsa, OK. Kevin had an exhibit that provided information regarding available services, funding resources, and assistive technology for farmers and ranchers with disabilities. The NACAA is a professional extension organization that is geared toward extension educators and agents and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development, administration, aquaculture, and related disciplines. There were approximately 1,300+ attendees.
Kevin Bell took part in the 75th Annual Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) Conference from July 19-20, 2010 in Oklahoma City, OK. Kevin had a booth that promoted awareness about Oklahoma AgrAbility, and he also disseminated information with OHCE members across the state of Oklahoma. Kevin also provided insight on how OHCE members could display Oklahoma AgrAbility information at upcoming events in their respective counties. There were over 402 members of OHCE in attendance.
Lynn Jeffries, Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for the Langston University School of Physical Therapy and Sandra Stevenson, Program Manager for the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project partnered to co-teach an AgrAbility training to students of the doctor of physical therapy program at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. As part of the clinical education seminar curriculum, which offers a teaching and learning theme centered on rural practice physical therapy and incorporates the physical management of farmers and ranchers, the two-day AgrAbility training, held July 28-29, 2010, focused on farm culture, farm environment, and farm tasks, as well as farm accessibility and assistive technology. Students also participated in an on-farm site assessment and equipment evaluation.
The National Arthritis Foundation supports the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service effort to educate and support individuals with proven arthritis techniques to better manage their pain and take control of their lives. Approximately 10 family & consumer science Extension educators throughout the state of Oklahoma have started a class or are in process of beginning an arthritis self-help course in their respective counties. This helps Oklahoma AgrAbility reach out to our many communities who will greatly benefit from this education and can thus help improve the quality of life for thousands of Oklahomans who are living with arthritis.
Click here for the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Summer 2010 Newsletter, featuring Farmer SUCCESS Spotlight, Arthritis and Agriculture, Rehabilitating Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Save the Date, Summer friendly resources, National AgrAbility Project E-Notes, and Oklahoma AgrAbility Staff
Submitted by: Kevin Bell