Indiana AgrAbility staff made presentations during the Indiana State Farm Service Agency (FSA) lender meetings. FSA held the meetings in four regions of Indiana to inform cooperating banks about their guaranteed loan programs from USDA. Amber Wolfe, Cindy Chastain, and Steve Swain presented AgrAbility and how the program could help their customers continue to farm with a disability.
Indiana rural rehabilitation specialist Steve Swain presented a session titled Practical Assistive Technology Assessments to a class of Purdue graduate students for Dr. Brad Duerstock. The session included information about AgrAbility and the process of conducting farm and home modification assessments. The session concluded with examples of farm assistive technology and home modifications.
Submitted by Steve Swain
Indiana coordinator Linda Tarr had a booth at the Orange County Farm Bureau farmer's breakfast and the Hoosier Uplands Area 15 Agency on Aging Senior Games. She also attended the Beginner Farmer/Rancher Development Program tour/training in Palmyra, Indiana, and the farm tour of the Morning Harvest hydroponic farm in Hardinsburg.
Amber Wolfe planned and implemented a community health event in Clinton County (Frankfort, IN) with external grant funding from the Arthritis Foundation. Amber worked with the Clinton County Farm Bureau to plan the event that included raffle prizes of a Fitbit Charge and a plane ride for a local farmer to assess his fields (Provided through non-AgrAbility funds).
The Arthritis Foundation staff coordinated with the Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) to have an AgrAbility presentation at each of the four lender meetings around the state during the month of September. The staff also hosted several staff members from Eli Lilly and Company on 9/29/15 to discuss the AgrAbility partnership and other local events and sponsorship opportunities.
Submitted by Amber Wolfe