Indiana AgrAbility partners Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana presented a two-day brain injury and resource facilitation conference. Indiana AgrAbility was one of the sponsors, and rural rehabilitation specialist Steve Swain attended as a participant. The conference presented the basics of brain function, injury symptoms, and research which has been conducted and the positive outcomes of the research.
Indiana AgrAbility Rural Rehabilitation Specialist Steve Swain presented AgrAbility and rural assistive technology to the North Montgomery High School ag mechanization class. North Montgomery FFA is one of the top FFA chapters in Indiana. The Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest was emphasized along with farm/farm equipment modifications and the process of determining need. North Montgomery FFA was a contest winner in the past.
Indiana AgrAbility is a partner with Purdue Extension on a USDA beginning farmer grant with AgrAbility focusing on beginning farmer veterans. One of the components of the grant is that Indiana AgrAbility presents AgrAbility, the veteran culture, and available services to at least 20 ag and natural resource Extension educators per year over the three-year grant cycle. This training was conducted as part of the annual ANR retreat at Turkey Run State Park. Educators were provided AgrAbility publications, informed about available services, and shown a video.
Submitted by Steve Swain
On October 15th, 31 veterans, their family members, Purdue Extension staff, and AgrAbility staff, traveled to Ponderosa Aqua Farm in Spencer, IN. Participants listened to presentations by Purdue staff on hydroponics and aquaponics in the morning. Following the morning presentations, participants were provided lunch by Bon Appétit restaurant, using many ingredients from the Ponderosa Aqua Farm. After lunch, participants took a tour of the farm and had time to network with the presenters, staff, and the owners of the farm, Steve and Missy Carrell.
On November 5th, Indiana AgrAbility attended the Tippecanoe County Veteran Stand Down, a community outreach event where different county and community organizations come together to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. AgrAbility was on hand to speak with veterans and their families about agriculture and the Beginning Farmer/Rancher Program. Also, IN AgrAbility was able to distribute assistive technology and arthritis information as well as other educational materials.
Submitted by Katherine Prasuhn
Linda Tarr, coordinator in Southern Indiana, participated in the Veteran Stand Down in Corydon. She also worked at the trade show at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis and had a booth at the Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Conference in Columbus. She reported on her activities at the Indiana Advisory Council meeting in November.
Submitted by Linda Tarr