Fourteen Extension Educators across the state conducted a minimum six session Arthritis Foundation Life Improvement Series: Arthritis Exercise Program and completed their certification as AF Trainers for this program. Three more Extension Educators and one AgrAbility staff member have begun their certification process: one is beginning classes in August to complete certification in October.
An Oklahoma Press Association search of Oklahoma AgrAbility for May 19-August 19 revealed 35 articles promoting the Arthritis and Agriculture Seminar. One article is listed in the AgrAbility in the News section.
Staff from the Oklahoma Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Oklahoma AgrAbility program at Oklahoma State University learned about Wisconsin DVR's successful practices in serving farmers with disabilities on August 18-19. Staff from Wisconsin DVR, the Easter Seals FARM program, and Wisconsin AgrAbility presented information and shared experiences. The group also visited the farm of a former DVR consumer who was able to overcome disability barriers and continue farming after receiving services from DVR.
Rob Cook, a 2011 Australian Nuffield Scholar, visited Oklahoma in mid August. He met with OSU animal science faculty, AgrAbility staff, and several AgrAbility clients. Rob is a quadriplegic as a result of a helicopter accident while mustering cattle on the family cattle station in September 2008. His family owns and operates a 1 million acre cattle station with 10,000 head of Brahman X Shorthorn cattle. Rob will use his Nuffield scholarship experience to learn more about global beef industry technologies and innovation relevant to northern Australia. In particular, he hopes to meet farmers in similar situations around the world to learn how they have overcome the day-to-day challenges they face. To read about his Nuffield Scholarship and research, read his blog at robcook.com.au.
Submitted by Julie York