Staff participated in two of Ability Tools' trainings, including one in-person meeting in Berkeley, CA where staff learned about Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology-RET Project and Support for Families of Children with Disabilities. It is a nonprofit program providing technology solutions and serves Department of Rehabilitation clients with AT solutions. CalAgrability also participated in AgriSafe's webinar on heat stress, which included tips we can include in our heat stress seminars.
CA NRCS' Soil Conservationist, Roger Tompkins, based in Tulare County, invited CalAg to discuss a greater partnership for outreach to Central Valley farmers with disabilities who would like to sign up for services with NRCS. We have had a strong relationship with NRCS for years and look forward to renewing this in the new funding period. NRCS, for example, can assist in purchasing equipment, like tractors that reduce emissions; this would be a tier 0 engine if the farmer has an old tractor to trade for. For beginning farmers, NRCS can help pay up to 75%
Submitted by Martha Stiles