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September 2010

Ohio

In a partnership  with the OSU School of Occupational Therapy, Ohio AgrAbility is working on a project to provide arthritis screenings for farmers across the state. The project will also provide information and resources on farming with arthritis. Over the next couple of months the arthritis screenings will take place at several county fairs, as well as the Ohio Farm Science Review.


Ohio AgrAbility collaborated with the Department of Labor's Youth Build Program to make modifications and increase usability of a client's existing farm shop. The youth were able to provide modifications to enhance the function of the current structure for the farm family, while learning new job skills, serving their community, and increasing their own self-worth. MoreYouth Build activities to assist our AgrAbility farmers will be scheduled in the future.


Preparations are underway for the Farm Science Review, which will attract upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 agricultural exhibitors. Ohio AgrAbility will have a display area where farmers can stop and discuss the obstacles and limitations that they face every day in their operations. A Universal Design garage/farm shop as part of the Universal Design home display is also being planned. The Universal Design display will emphasize a holistic approach to the design of products and environments that is functional, attractive, convenient, and supports independence for people of all ages and abilities.

Submitted by Kent McGuire