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May 2011

National AgrAbility Project News

AgrAbility All-Staff Call May 26 at 3:00 p.m. EDT, 866-803-2444. Michael O'Gorman, Executive Director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, is the featured presenter. The call-in number is 866-803-2444 with no access code required.

The National AgrAbility Project, Indiana AgrAbiltiy, and the Purdue Agricultural Safety and Health Program wish to thank Gail Deboy for his many years of service. Gail officially retired on May 9. more

Amber Wolfe will be presenting a 60 minute webinar, Prevention of Osteoarthritis in Rural Youth, May 26 at 12:00 CDT. more

May is Arthritis Awareness Month.

Join us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of AgrAbility at the 2011 AgrAbility National Training Workshop. more

Click here for the schedule of upcoming Community of Interest and Standing Committee call information.

State and Regional AgrAbility Project News

California

With the agricultural season back in full swing, farm agencies and health centers have sponsored health and safety events throughout California. more

The California Office of Migrant Housing conducted the Annual Farm Worker Migrant Center Conference held in the Central Valley, where CalAgrAbility was invited to do a seminar on farming with arthritis and working with disabilities to over 70 migrant farm center managers who run the statewide program. more

CalAgrAbility has been coordinating activities with the AT Network in collaboration with the Society for the Blind in Sacramento. more

Staff participated in the webinar: Can You Hear Me? An Introduction to Hearing Loss Prevention in Agriculture as well as the workshop by Brandon Louie, California Regional Coordinator, Children in the Fields Campaign, part of the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs.

Colorado

Jill Sump was invited to co-present a Colorado AgrAbility (CAP) and DVR success story at a recent meeting of DVR Self-Employment Specialists. more

CAP staff presented an introduction to AgrAbility and farm assistive technology at the Fremont County Conservation District Landowner's meeting. more

Indiana

The Indiana AgrAbility Project/Breaking New Ground participated in the Purdue University Spring Fest on April 9, 2011. more

Nebraska

Nine AgrAbility clients and a mental health counselor met for the 2011 Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer Support Training April 4 and 5. more

The "Rehabilitating Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities" workshop drew 18 health professionals from Eastern NE to the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC). more

Consumer programs on "Arthritis and Gardening" were presented at two sites by Sharry Nielsen and UNL Extension Horticulture Aide Kim Sindt. more

Rod Peterson promoted Nebraska AgrAbility and its services in a radio interview through the KRVN network. more

Ohio

Ohio AgrAbility has just released nine new AgrAbility fact sheets. more

AgrAbility design projects at the University of Dayton's Innovative Engineering Class were a great success. more

Oklahoma

OK AgrAbility staff completed a six week Arthritis Foundation Exercise program in partnership with the OSU Seretean Wellness Center. more

OK AgrAbility participated in OCES FCS Issue Team planning April 6. more

OK AgrAbility hosted a booth at the Southern Plains Farm Show April 7-9, with 25,000 estimated in attendance. more

OK AgrAbility provided core professional training to 14 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) Family and Consumer Science (FCS) and Ag Educators on April 13. more

OK AgrAbility hosted a booth at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture's "Ag Day at the Capitol."

OK AgrAbility presented at the Gardening with Disabilities Seminar at Oklahoma State University on April 13.

The Pushmataha County OCES FCS Extension Educator introduced OK AgrAbility to the Antlers Garden Club on April 14. more

Approximately 200 youth attended the Garfield County Farm Safety Day April 18, and OK AgrAbility presented.

OK AgrAbility provided resources and lesson materials to 4-H teen leaders at Okfuskee County Progressive Farm Safety Day on April 26. more

The Pittsburg County OCES FCS Extension Educator introduced OK AgrAbility to the 65 guests at the Stipe Senior Citizen Center in McAlester, OK on April 26.

OK AgrAbility was introduced at the Modern Woodsmen Fraternal Financial Family Life meeting of Chapter 7735 in McAlester, OK on April 26 by the Pittsburg County OCES FCS Extension Educator, and 22 guests attended.

OK AgrAbility hosted a booth at the OCES New Educator Orientation on April 28. more

Vermont

A new VCIL-AgrAbility office has opened in Morrisville, Vermont, at 20 Morrisville Plaza Suite B, Morrisville VT, 05655.

A traumatic brain injury support group was started by Vermont Center for Independent Living. more

Planning has begun for the June Heifer Stroll in Brattleboro, Vermont. more

West Virginia

West Virginia AgrAbility took the spotlight for the April taping of Access for All: Supports and Services in your Community. more

For the second year in a row, West Virginia AgrAbility was represented at the Spring Continuing Education Conference for Social Workers. more

Staff Changes

Nebraska

Please wish farewell to Bill Booker, NE AgrAbility, who will retire on May 31.

Wisconsin

AgrAbility of Wisconsin would like to thank Stacie Grady, Kimberly Wilke, Michael Goeldi, and Ryan Adams, four AmeriCorps members, for their contribution to the program and service to clients and their families all over Wisconsin.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin would also like to welcome Kayla Blado as the AmeriCorps summer Farm Program Assistant. Kayla will play an active role in client activities during the summer such as conducting interviews and follow-up and attending trade shows.

AgrAbility in the News

Click here for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects.

Other News

Click here for other news of interest to AgrAbility staff members.

Upcoming Events

Click here for professional development events related to AgrAbility.

Problems? Contact Clifford Racz, National AgrAbility Project, racz@purdue.edu