Missouri

Jackie Allenbrand reported many AgrAbility activities for the Northwest Region:

• Attended the National Training Workshop in Indianapolis, Indiana. Participated in the Veterans Administration and Rehabilitation Hospital Monday preconference tour, breakout sessions during the week, and Thursday conference tours.
• Shared AgrAbility information with two new members during the Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Division meeting in St. Joseph, Missouri. On November 16, the main speaker was a representative from Schweitzer Orchards who shared information about the retail side of their business and how migrant workers are used to work in their orchard.
• Hosted MERIL and MU AgrAbility meeting to review the 2011-2012 AgrAbility Plan of Work and partnership expectations.
• Attended MERIL Leadership meeting. AgrAbility information was shared with staff on topics discussed at the AgrAbility NTW. After highlighting information about the tour to Presnell Plantation, the MERIL chief brand officer asked for additional information to be shared with staff at Northwest Missouri State University on how to deal with the type of hunting equipment used for persons with disabilities and veterans.
• A client from SE region called about wanting to receive a PHARM Dog. Russell Ramsey provided an AgrAbility onsite farm assessment and Jackie provided information about PHARM Dog.

Chris Davis, biological engineering graduate assistant with the MAP, provided an AgrAbility and adapted rural recreation lecture to one hundred and twenty junior and senior level students. Chris explained the use of assistive technologies and adapted devices for farmers and ranchers with spinal cord injuries, as well as demonstrated adapted devices for deer and turkey hunters. An AgrAbility packet of information was also provided to each student that included resource materials on adapted rural recreation.

The National AgrAbility Project was showcased at the 2011 National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference in Columbia, Missouri. K.B. Paul from Lincoln University as well as Don Schuster and Karen Funkenbusch from the University of Missouri Extension were on hand to talk about AgrAbility services and disseminate Missouri specific and National resources to participants attending the largest annual farm show in the United States.

Four Missouri AgrAbility staff members, one health educator from the CDC Arthritis Project, and ten Missouri farmers and ranchers with disabilities attended the National Training Workshop in Indianapolis, Indiana. Missouri farmers and ranchers reported attending the 2011 National Training Workshop was a great learning experience and an excellent opportunity for them to meet one-on-one with vendors and to network with other farmers from across the country.

Missouri AgrAbility and Missouri Health Professions Consortium held a partnership meeting with representatives from the University of Missouri, School of Health Professions; East Central College, Union, MO; Moberly Area Community College, Columbia, MO; North Central Missouri College, Trenton, MO; State Fair Community College, Sedalia, MO; and Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, MO. Each representative was also provided with a Missouri AgrAbility welcome packet of information and resources.

Forty five physical therapy assistant association members from Linn State Technical College, Jefferson City, Missouri were provided a three hour interactive hands-on AgrAbility demonstration by volunteer farmers and ranchers with spinal cord injuries and their caregivers. Volunteer farmers and ranchers from Central Missouri demonstrated their adapted tractors, Polaris Ranger with hand controls, small hand tools, and other assistive technologies/adapted devices as well as discussing how the AgrAbility and VR programs have been of assistance. Campus AgrAbility staff members from the University of Missouri Extension were also on hand to provide students with the Missouri AgrAbility packet of information and assist with facilitating questions.

Submitted by Jackie Allenbrand, Chris Davis, Russell Ramsey, K.B. Paul, Don Schuster, and Karen Funkenbusch