The Breaking New Ground Outreach Program/Indiana AgrAbility Project exhibited at the 2012 Home and Family Conference on the Purdue University campus. The conference is sponsored by the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association. The exhibit featured resources for caregiving and home modifications/universal design. Steve Swain, the BNG rural rehabilitation specialist, also presented a session on universal design and home modifications titled "How to Live in Your Home for the Rest of Your Life."
Breaking New Ground recently completed another Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest. Begun in 1999, the contest originally challenged FFA chapters to complete low cost projects in their communities that enhance independence and promote success for people with disabilities. For the second year, the contest included other service organizations in addition to FFA chapters. Six projects were submitted, including those by an Extension homemaker club and five FFA chapters. All submissions received $100 for their project and the top three winners received an additional $500, $250, and $100 (from non-AgrAbility funds). The Warrick County Extension Homemakers took 1st place, Franklin FFA Chapter took 2nd, and Southmont FFA Chapter took 3rd place. This is the first year a non-FFA chapter has submitted a project, let alone won the contest. All projects were excellent examples of what can be done to help others who are in need. The Warrick County Extension Homemakers installed a new ramp and concrete sidewalk in front of the Community Center at the Warrick County Fairgrounds.
Submitted by Steve Swain
Amber Wolfe exhibited an education booth for the Indiana AgrAbility/Breaking New Ground Resource Center at the Indiana Rural Health Association's annual conference. Amber also gave a 45-minute informative presentation on the Indiana AgrAbility project during a concurrent session. The IRHA annual conference was held in Indianapolis on June 14-15.
Amber Wolfe served as a judge at the Indiana FFA State Convention at Purdue University, June 18-19. While there, she met with several FFA advisors and agricultural teachers to discuss work on the Rural Arthritis Curriculum Resource and youth arthritis lessons.
Submitted by Amber Wolfe
Carl Jenkins has also attended and set up the booth for Indiana AgrAbility/Breaking New Ground at the Spencer County and Jennings County Fairs. Carl will be setting the booth up at about seven or eight more county fairs in July and working at the Indiana State Fair in August.
Submitted by Carl Jenkins