NTW Updates
NTW STIPENDS: A reminder that SRAPs are to pay for at least one farmer/rancher with a disability to attend the 2018 NTW before requesting NAP funding. Funds can come from the SRAP budget or from outside sources. Before a SRAP may apply for NAP stipend funds for other farmers/ranchers, the SRAP must first submit the name of the client they are paying for to Abi Jensen (ajensen6@wisc.edu). They may then request stipends for other farmers/ranchers with disabilities that they wish to send to the NTW.
NAP stipends will be given by priority to farmers/ranchers with disabilities from non-SRAP states and then to those who have never attended an NTW. Any farmer/rancher with a disability may apply for a stipend, regardless of whether or not they are an AgrAbility client. Stipends will then be given to SRAP applicants as funding permits.
As you are out and about visiting clients, it isn't too early to consider stopping in at a local business to solicit auction donations and sponsorship dollars. They may also want to consider being a vendor at the NTW.
We will be auctioning state baskets with raffle tickets again this year. It was a big hit last year, so start thinking about your state’s basket.
If you need to mail any auction items ahead of time, you may send them to Lani Carlson at:
Maine AgrAbility
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
138 Pleasant Street #1
Farmington, ME 04938
As always, your input and feedback are welcome to make NTW 2018 the best yet!
Contact JoBeth or Tess anytime at:
Paul Jones represented AgrAbility in Arlington, VA at the 2017 FALCON (First Americans Land-grant Consortium) conference of tribal colleges and universities on November 4-6.
Representatives of 1994 Native American land-grant institutions from all over the country participated in the conference. The first day focused heavily on student projects, many of which dealt with agriculture and Extension topics.
USDA NIFA was well-represented, and NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy addressed the group on the second morning.
Submitted by Paul Jones
The National AgrAbility Project exhibited with nine other health and safety organizations at the 2017 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The NAP exhibit included NAP publications and videos, safety brochures, and youth safety videos and publications. Other displays provided information on grain safety, farm safety, PTO safety, and personal safety. The FFA members were given cards, which each group stamped following a short presentation. When the cards were returned, each were given a T-shirt.
Submitted by Steve Swain
Chuck Baldwin, NAP special populations outreach coordinator, helped staff the AgrAbility booth shared by AgrAbility of Wisconsin at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI, October 5-6, 2017. A special emphasis was given to the AgrAbility of Wisconsin work in the area of succession planning - keeping farmland as farmland, and keeping it in the family. Several visitors stopped by the booth to talk about the need for good succession planning and to ask for assistance in that sphere. Many current and former Wisconsin clients also stopped by to express their gratitude for all AgrAbility had done for them.
Submitted by Chuck Baldwin