Steve Swain, ATP, the Rural Rehabilitation Specialist for the Indiana Agrability Project, presented a session for the fall 2010 Hancock County Master Gardener class on Gardening for People with Disabilities or Those of us Getting Older. The session explored accessible gardening and garden tools. There were 25 class members who hopefully will be taking some of the information and applying it to projects at their homes, fairgrounds, and assisted living facilities. Master Gardener graduates are required to volunteer a number of hours to obtain their completion certificate.
The Indiana AgrAbility Project exhibited at the 2010 Indiana-Illinois Power Machinery Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis December 14-16, 2010. The exhibit included a video presentation on AgrAbility, a tabletop display, resource materials, a John Deere tractor with a Life Essentials lift, and other examples of assistive technology for the farm and home. Also in the booth space was a HOSTA display, a farm fatality map, and a grain entrapment display with a rescue tube supplied by the Purdue Health and Safety Program.
Submitted by Steve Swain
The Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest was re-launched at the beginning of January. Previously just for FFA chapters, the contest is now open to any youth or adult service organization in Indiana. Each entrant should complete a project that helps people with disabilities overcome physical barriers in their lives and communities. The groups receiving first-, second-, and third-place will be rewarded with a cash prize (from non-AgrAbility funds). Kylie Hendress is traveling to area Extension meetings, the Farm Bureau Young Farmers Leadership Conference, and farm shows around the state to promote the contest.
Submitted by Kylie Hendress