National AgrAbility Project News
NTW farmer/rancher scholarship applications are due by Friday, September 2. Forms have been sent out to all of the SRAPs and will also be posted on the NTW conference website, workshop.agrability.org/2011. Contact Kylie Hendress at khendres@purdue.edu for more information.
AgrAbility all-staff call Tuesday, September 6 at 3:00 p.m. EDT, 2:00 CDT, 1:00 MDT, 12:00 PDT. The call-in number will be 866-803-2444. In addition to discussing AgrAbility events and issues, Kendra Calhoun, President and CEO of the Amputee Coalition, is scheduled to share about her organization and collaborations with AgrAbility.
All AgrAbility staff members are invited to the Disability in Agriculture and Rural Life Forum, sponsored by the NAP, in Washington, D.C. on September 14. more
Register by September 2 for AgrAbility Webinar Series: Hand Protection for Agricultural Workers, September 8 at 3:00 EDT. more
The NAP, Kansas AgrAbility, and Missouri AgrAbility were recently represented at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents annual conference by Kerri Ebert of Kansas AgrAbility.
State and Regional AgrAbility Project News
Wyoming
Wyoming AgrAbility demonstrated AT devices for easing arthritis in agriculture at the UW Agricultural Field Day, July 14, at Powell, WY.
Wyoming AgrAbility presented "Preventing Osteoarthritis in Wyoming Farm and Ranch Youth" at the UW Agricultural Field Day, July 21, at Lingle, WY.
West Virginia
In partnership with West Virginia AgrAbility, Green Thumbs staff has created a series of fact sheets on different accessible gardening techniques and related topics. more
Vermont
The Vermont AgrAbility Staff worked with farmers at the Lamoille Country Fields in Johnson VT. The picture is left to right UVM George Cook, Amy Walker, Larry Sulham and VCIL Tom Younkman, taken at Lamoille County Field Days 7/23/11, while staff were discussing the ROPS program.
On July 21, 2011, the Vermont Center for Independent Living honored Tom Younkman as the VCIL Advocacy Award recipient. more
Two new members joined the VCIL TBI group in July. Vermont AgrAbility is growing!!!
Oklahoma
OK AgrAbility is preparing to introduce a new website that will be more accessible. Watch for a link to the new site.
Eleven OCES educators across the state have begun conducting the "Arthritis Foundation Life Improvement Series: Arthritis Exercise Program."
OK AgrAbility hosted a booth at the Oklahoma Home and Community Education Meeting in Oklahoma City with over 400 attending. more
OK AgrAbility hosted a booth at the OSU Animal Science Big 3 Field Days, where more than 1,900 participants from multiple states were introduced to the Project. more
An OCES Extension Educator, 4-H member, and AgrAbility staff hosted a workshop at State 4-H Round Up on the Oklahoma State University campus on July 27. more
OK AgrAbility hosted a booth at the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Trade Show July 28-30 in Midwest City, which 1,500 attended.
OK AgrAbility is teaming with Kansas AgrAbility, along with OK and KS Arthritis Foundations, to conduct "Arthritis in Agriculture" Seminars on August 29 in Dodge City, Kansas and on August 31 in Stillwater, OK.
Doctor of Physical Therapy students at Langston University participated in a two day course focused on supporting farmers and ranchers during their rehabilitation process and the identification of appropriate assistive technology devices and work modifications.
Ohio
On a beautiful evening in Geauga County's Amish community, 45 people attended Ohio's first Agricultural Arthritis Workshop. more
Ohio AgrAbility staff brought a dozen participants together who could benefit from the use of a lift. more
Missouri
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. more
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. more
Every year, one in three adults age 65 and older takes a fall. more
The Missouri Project presented an AgrAbility: Gardens for Every Body, "Using Smart Tools" for local small acre gardeners at Circle High School, Towanda, KS. more
The Missouri AgrAbility Project presented at a local USDA Service Center meeting for Farm Service Agency managers. more
Missouri is preparing to introduce a new AgrAbility and Gardens for Every Body website that will be more accessible, giving the program the ability to reach rural people with disabilities living and working in agricultural communities. Watch for more updates.
Specialists from the University of Missouri Extension hosted a booth at the Belle Fair July 14-17. more
Specialists from the University of Missouri Extension hosted a booth at the 65th Annual Boone County Fair July 22-30. more
Indiana
Breaking New Ground/Indiana AgrAbility presented the AgrAbility program and services to the occupational and physical therapists at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne. more
California
Commodity fair and health event season is in full swing, and staff members continue to work with other organizations to develop resources and form collaborative relationships. more
Staff Changes
Maine
Maine AgrAbility has hired a new Project Coordinator: Tina Voigt. I grew up on a farm in southern Maine and still think of Willow Farm (where my parents still live) as a sanctuary! I graduated from the University of Maine in 2009 with a bachelors in psychology. I have a background doing outreach, education, and client services for a sexual assault crisis and support center. I have just completed the foundation program for integrative health coaching at Duke University, which aligns really well to the work of AgrAbility (if you have questions about integrative health coaching, please contact me!). I believe, with the right help, support, and tools, everyone can overcome any obstacle. I am really excited to begin working with AgrAbility and all the people that make it so successful with their compassion, drive, and optimism! You can reach me by email at bettina.voigt@maine.edu or by phone at 207-944-1533. Thank you!
Wisconsin
AgrAbility of Wisconsin is saying goodbye to Kayla Blado, our AmeriCorps member, for the summer. She will be studying abroad in Peru this fall working on her Spanish and then returning to complete her masters in sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
AgrAbility in the News
Click here for news stories featuring AgrAbility projects.
- AgrAbility Program Keeps Farmers Farming
- Business Watch: Women Still on the Go
- Ag Safety and Health Program Provides Valuable Service to Illinois Agriculture
- AgrAbility of Wisconsin at Farm Technology Days
- Farm Health, Safety to be Featured at Ag Progress Days
- Erie woman named 2011 Illinoisan of the Day
Other News
Click here for other news of interest to AgrAbility staff members.
- Used Freedom Lift for Sale
- Rebels with a Cause: Traveling with a Disability
- Vermont Farmers are Raising the Bar
- London 2012 Olympics: Oscar Pistorius Qualifies for World Championships and London Games
Upcoming Events
Click here for professional development events related to AgrAbility.Problems? Contact Clifford Racz, National AgrAbility Project, racz@purdue.edu