Pennsylvania

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians took part in Penn State's 2016 Ag Progress Days in August at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rocks Spring. Ag Progress Days is Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural exposition and is sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Thousands of people attend the annual event.

AgrAbility PA teamed up with the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health to host activities in the Rural Health and Safety tent.

Staff members from AgrAbility PA were present to share information and resources. Visitors had a chance to talk about and see examples of equipment, assistive technologies, and modifications that can make work and life around the farm more accessible. AgrAbility PA also offered drinks (donated by Turkey Hill Dairy, Lancaster County) and snacks to AgrAbility clients that stopped by the booth to chat and visit.

PA's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) sent 10 members of their staff to attend the event. AgrAbility PA staff conducted presentations for OVR staff on assistive technology, including specific adaptations that were made on farms. Presentations were made at both the AgrAbility PA booth as well as in a classroom at Penn State. General low-tech types of assistive technologies that farmers or anyone with a disability might benefit from, as well as resources that are available in PA, were also shared with OVR staff.

Submitted by Abbie Spackman