Tennessee

The Golf Cart is on the Move! In 2012, Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TNAP) was contacted by Work Plus Rehab Facility about a Madison County (West TN) produce farmer. The farmer was an above-the-knee (right) amputee due to diabetes. TNAP, along with Madison Co. Young Farmers and Ranchers, and Farm Bureau, provided a golf cart for him. TNAP was contacted in June 2017 by his wife, stating he had passed away and she wanted to donate the golf cart back to the TNAP. The call could not have come at a better time. A farmer veteran in Middle TN, who recently had a stroke, needed a mobility vehicle. The golf cart was in perfect condition, already equipped with mud grip tires and three years of battery life. The golf cart was delivered. The Middle TN farmer veteran with tears in his eyes was overjoyed and could not stop thanking the TNAP staff. The golf cart is serving another member of his family. His teenage daughter recently had hip surgery and has not been able to leave the house. She has been using the mobility vehicle to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. This is why the AgrAbility program is needed.

Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TNAP) attended the "Suicide Prevention Among Veterans" training in Knoxville, TN, to better help with their veteran outreach. The workshop was very informative. They agreed that the training was a needed resource, given the veterans and farmers of today. TNAP staff are always looking for resources to address needs with their families. They plan to have related workshops for farmer veterans through the UT Manage program (farm business trainings).

In June, TNAP hosted Progressive Agriculture Safety Days at 4-H Camp in Greenville, TN, and reminded over 1600 children to always think safety! 4-Hers learned about AgrAbility, disability awareness, arthritis prevention, ATV safety, tractor safety, water safety, sun safety, and hearing protection. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it a success!

TNAP encourages you to consider hosting your own safety day in you state. The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program is the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. The Foundation's mission is to provide education and training to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for children and their communities. Safety Day applications are due each July 15 for the Safety Days that will be conducted the following calendar year. For more information, please click here.

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TNAP)