California

California AgrAbility attended the 11th Annual Northern California Promotores Conference held at the Berkeley Adult School. In an effort to maximize resources, staff attended jointly with Dignity Health, Winters Healthcare, and Yolo County promotores. The group was able to present their collective efforts to inform community members of the services and agencies available to them through the county, clinics, hospitals, and nonprofits. During the conference, California AgrAbility staff was able to present about program services during two of the conference sessions - one on labor rights and another one on self-care for the community worker. Participants received a California AgrAbility brochure in their conference bags.

California AgrAbility conducted outreach to K-6th grades at the Nutrition, Health and Safety Fair at Westwood Elementary. Around 200 students attended this fair and learned about farming and gardening safety. Students were introduced to assistive tools and how these tools can help prevent injuries caused by overusing muscles. Many parents and agency representatives attended this year, giving California AgrAbility an opportunity to inform them of AgrAbility's services.

California AgrAbility was invited to present at the annual Migrant Parent Institute of Williams, Pierce, and Colusa schools, held at Williams Upper Elementary School. The event brought together 40 families for presentations on agricultural worker safety, dangers of e-cigarettes, high school graduation requirements, and more. California AgrAbility had two presentation slots where staff spoke about AgrAbility services and arthritis in agricultural working communities. After the presentations, staff spoke to a mechanic working for an almond orchard who has had arthritis for 10 years. He finds that standing in the shop for extended periods produces unbearable pain in his knees. Staff spoke to him about sit-stand stools as a possibility to reduce pain while helping him continue to work safely.

Submitted by Sara Wat