David Middleton, farm outreach specialist from the southwest region representing Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and Missouri's new AgrAbility partnership, presented an overview and summary of the MO AgrAbility Project at the Winter Vegetable Conference in Joplin, the Greater Springfield Farmers Market, and a tomato grafting workshop also in Springfield. Also during the month of November David has referred several small farm operators to the MO AgrAbility Project.
Nahshon Bishop, small farm specialist representing Lincoln University Cooperative Extension as Missouri's new AgrAbility partner, expressed an interest in attending the spring 2015 National Training Workshop. Nahshon coordinates technical assistance and outreach efforts for Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farm Outreach Program (ISFOP) in the southwest region of Missouri.
New AgrAbility partner Maureen Cunningham, director, Brain Injury Association of Missouri, and Jon Sabala, veteran services director, Department of Mental Health, participated in the monthly MOBHA Alliance teleconference. The MOBHA Alliance continues to meet via teleconference and face-to-face to discuss effective ways in which this Alliance can make culturally sensitive behavioral health services accessible to service members, veterans and their families by establishing strategies to raise awareness, increase availability, improve communication, and promote prevention.
Joseph Brajdich, intern with the Missouri AgrAbility Project, and members of the North Carolina AgrAbility direct services team participated in a conference call with professionals from other states involved in AgrAbility services and working with minority farmers with disabilities to strategize improved outreach and overcome barriers to services in coordination with NC Vocational Rehabilitation. Members in attendance included Michele Proctor - NC AgrAbility, Robin Tutor-Marcom - NC Agromedicine Institute, Ari Mwachofi - East Carolina University, Tammy Koger - NC Assistive Technology Program, Karen Funkenbusch - University of Missouri Extension, and Steve Brink- NC Vocational Rehabilitation.
Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch
Kelly Cochran, PharmD, BCPS, presented "Pharm Safety=Farm Safety: Know Your Medications" to 70 farm women at the Pearls of Production: Women in Agriculture conference on Nov 7, 2014. This session educated farm women about how to safeguard themselves, family, and environment when using medicine, and equipped them with resources for safe use.
Submitted by Kelly Cochran