University of Missouri Extension AgrAbility staff members met biweekly with the MO Department of Agriculture, MO Department of Labor, and Cooperative Electric to discuss cooperative ways in which these organizations can proactively assist with ImProving Health Amongst Rural Missourians (IPHARM). The Missouri's Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor, Cooperative Electric, and MO AgrAbility Project are gearing up to cooperatively showcase AgrAbility, health, agricultural safety, and wellness displays and hand out programmatic materials during the MO State Fair.
It's county fair time across Missouri, and AgrAbility materials are being passed out to fairgoers and hands-on interactive displays showcased by University of MO Extension specialists, students from the University of Missouri School of Pharmacy, and girls' cross country runners from Rock Bridge High School. AgrAbility displays showcased have included the MO AgrAbility Project; IPHARM; Farming with Arthritis; Preventing Skin Cancer; Mental Health; Ergonomics, AgrAbility, and You; Gardens for Every Body; and Fitness 4 Farmers.
Jackie Allenbrand, AgrAbility rural outreach specialist at MERIL, made a presentation to the Benton Lions Club in St. Joseph, Missouri about services provided by MO AgrAbility Project, PHARM® Dog, and MERIL. Jackie also facilitated a live radio remote at MERIL about services and programs offered by the MO AgrAbility Project and PHARM® Dog.
Programmatic materials from the MO AgrAbility Gardens for Every Program were requested. Master Gardeners from Indiana, West Virginia, and Missouri were sent PowerPoint Presentations, tools, and handouts to be used in small group settings. Small acre gardeners not only work in their own gardens, but also do a lot of community service such as teaching kids about gardening and then helping them plant their own home vegetable garden.
AgrAbility staff members at the University of Missouri Extension are excited to have the Mizzou FFA Alumni Association volunteer their time to work for the MO AgrAbility Program. The Collegiate FFA chapter thinks volunteering with the project will provide an excellent way for them to help others and still be involved with the agriculture industry. They have around 10 members and are excited to help the AgrAbility cause.
Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch