The Missouri AgrAbility Project and National Center for Farmworker Health located in Budda, Texas presented a technical poster titled "Arthritis Prevention and Self-Management for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers" at the 2011 National Symposium on Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Health & Safety Conference, June 26–30, 2011, in Boise, Idaho. The conference was co-sponsored by the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Regional extension specialists from the University of Missouri Extension, Missouri AgrAbility Project, and volunteers from the local Master Gardeners hosted an "AgrAbility: Gardens for Every Body" workshop at William Jewel College, June 17 and June 18. Gardens for Every Body materials and AgrAbility handouts were provided to seventy five participants. The focus of the program was using smart assistive technology and arthritis.
Every year, one in three adults age 65 and older takes a fall. In Missouri, falls are the leading cause of injury resulting in death among this age group. Ninety-five percent of hip fractures are caused by falls in Missouri and only half of those who sustain such injuries are able to return home or live independently following a fall. As such, the Missouri AgrAbility Project provides information and handouts during the Save Your Hips Free Health Screening Clinics, when multidisciplinary health professionals volunteer their time each month to assess older adults in areas that often cause falls. These free clinics are offered in community senior centers and independent living facilities. Clinics include vision and hearing screenings, balance and gait checks, in-home solutions to avoid potential hazards, bone density scans to detect bone loss, medication evaluation, and nutrition information.
The Missouri Project presented an AgrAbility: Gardens for Every Body, "Using Smart Tools" for local small acre gardeners at Circle High School, Towanda, KS. AgrAbility Gardens for Every Body and AgrAbility handouts were provided.
The Missouri AgrAbility Project presented at a local USDA Service Center meeting for Farm Service Agency managers. USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies.
Specialists from the University of Missouri Extension hosted a booth at the Belle Fair July 14-17. AgrAbility information, National AgrAbility newsletter, and Gardens for Every Body educational materials were disseminated with over 3200 attending.
Specialists from the University of Missouri Extension hosted a booth at the 65th Annual Boone County Fair July 22-30. AgrAbility information, National AgrAbility newsletter, and Gardens for Every Body educational materials were disseminated.
Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch