Nebraska AgrAbility and Nebraska Department of Agriculture shared a booth at Buffalo Bill Farm and Ranch Expo in North Platte, NE. The show went well even with the snow and temperatures below zero each morning. The show was well attended with over 100 farmers and ranchers and their wives stopping by the booth as well as several former clients. Rod Peterson also networked with several vendors and organizations. Buffalo Bill Farm and Ranch Expo is the largest indoor farm show in western Nebraska.
About a third of the Nebraska AgrAbility Peers were able to gather for a Peer Update in Kearney. Peers visited with each other and staff and offered ways to support AgrAbility clients and ways for staff to fund projects and network with vendors, organizations, and communities. They also learned about the accomplishments of the Nebraska project in 2013 in order to market the project in their home communities. Sharry Nielsen, Nancy Frecks, and Kelly Gewecke coordinated the meeting.
Madonna Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln has been a referring source for Nebraska AgrAbility for many years. Rod Peterson presented a session about AgrAbility and demonstrated how some tools serve as assistive technology for one-handed use. A group of 18 OTs, PTs, and Social Workers attended as part of their February education program.
Eight members of the Nebraska AgrAbility Advisory Committee met in Kearney to share ideas, resources, and information to support the state project. Following introductions and sharing activities, members used a speed-dating format to discuss issues facing the project, including outside funding, networking, and its web presence. Staff members led the various discussion groups.
Nebraska Women in Ag Conference drew over 350 participants to Kearney, NE, where Nebraska AgrAbility staffed a booth displaying the priority issues for AgrAbility and Nebraska activities. Sharry Nielsen, UNL Extension educator, visited with both attendees and colleagues promoting the project and several upcoming events as well as learning of potential networking possibilities.
Submitted by Sharry Nielsen