National Agrability Project

Registration is open for the Northwest AgrAbility Workshop in Corvallis Oregon on the campus of Oregon State University February 24-25, 2011.

This workshop is ideal for SRAP in states new to AgrAbility or for staff new to AgrAbility that need to broaden their skills and perspective. Objectives of workshop participants will be to learn how to: (click here for agenda)

• find clients and build AgrAbility referrals
• connect with alternative populations
• connect with and market to state VR agencies
• conduct on farm assessments
• close cases
• determine the best assistive devices
• work with existing resources
  

This is a great opportunity to learn detailed practical information to make your work in your state more successful. Contact Eric Olson, National AgrAbility Project Manager, Goodwill Industries International, (240) 333-5282 eric.olson@goodwill.org with any questions.

Submitted by Eric Olson

Plans for the 2011 National Training Workshop are well underway. The event will be held November 7-10 at the downtown Indianapolis Hilton hotel and suites. The NTW Planning Committee will begin meeting later this month—if you would like to join the planning committee, please contact Kylie Hendress at khendres@purdue.edu.

Submitted by Kylie Hendress

The Arthritis, Agriculture, and Rural Life: State of the Art Research, Practices, and Applications conference (AARL conference) is planned for professionals from rural areas to discuss how to help clients with arthritis. AgrAbility staff are welcome to invite attendees from their areas. The conference will include a day of farm tours for hands-on applications and experiences, and assist rural professionals in becoming more aware of evidence-based strategies to aid farmers and ranchers battling the many forms of arthritis.

• May 11-13, 2011 at Purdue University’s Beck Agricultural Center and Research Farms (West Lafayette, IN).
• Keynote Speakers, Ergonomic Workshops, Farmer Panel, Appropriate Assistive Technology, Farm Worksite Tour and more!
• Registration, travel, and housing information are available at www.arthritis-ag.org or by calling 1-800-783-2342.
• Registration and housing reservations will open in February 2011.
• Conference made possible by the National AgrAbility Project, the Arthritis Foundation, USDA, NIFA Special Project 2008-41590-04796.

Find the Save the Date here. For more information, or to help on the planning committee, please contact Amber Wolfe at awolfe@arthritis.org or at (800) 783-2342.