Kentucky

The KY AgrAbility project will be featured in The Bridge magazine, a product of the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health and the Kentucky Office of Rural Health. The publication deals with rural health issues in the state of Kentucky and highlights individuals and programs that exemplify innovation in Kentucky's rural health landscape. This connection was made at the August 9th Annual KARRN (Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network) Conference. Conference attendees, more than 250 health professionals, students, and others, learned more about topics that included universal design in health, music therapy and movement, new assistive technology for wellness, and other subjects that deal with the problems of rural health. KY AgrAbility has partnered with the KARRN group since its beginning and continues to enlist the network of health providers to assist clients in the Appalachian region.

During September, OVR and KY AgrAbility were able to take several farmers to the KY State University research farm for driver evaluations using the Ride N Drive course, the demonstration tractor, and the Kubota UTV. The Kubota was also taken to the client farm for driver evaluation.

The accessible garden project at the Beacon Apartments for seniors and the disabled is moving along. The local newspaper, Jessamine Journal, published an article on the project listing the partners in the project: County Extension Office, KY AgrAbility, and the Bluegrass Community Action Partnership. Six raised beds have been placed at the site and the residents interested in gardening have signed contracts to maintain the gardens. The SNAP education agent at the local county Extension office will be helping the residents utilize the vegetables and fruits as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

October opens with Mike Lewis conducting a session at the Farm Start Workshop in northeastern Kentucky. Linda Bokros will be in Louisville for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Safety Committee meeting. The end of the week will have the staff going in different directions again, attending the annual Powell County Field day, Wolfe County Safety Day, and the Annual Open House for Superior Van and Mobility. Superior is able to fabricate and modify many of the vans and trucks used by KY AgrAbility's consumers and is a strong supporter of the AgrAbility program.

On October 15th, KY AgrAbility will host the Farmer Veteran Coalition stakeholder meeting at the KSU Research Farm south of Frankfort, KY. Many of the state agricultural leaders will be there to talk, as will vendors for various products and assistive technology. The workshop will have many topics for the veterans that are farming now and for those interested in getting started in agriculture. The event is free and a meal will be served to the attendees. The vocational residents from the Stuart Home and School will be on hand to work on the accessible raised garden beds to demonstrate the accessibility of raised bed gardening for those with limitations of various kinds.

October 24-25, the annual Extension agent training will take place for the western part of the state. The training will be held in Paducah this year and gives KY AgrAbility a chance to meet with clients in the area as well as to train agents in the goals and purpose of AgrAbility.

The Small Farm Conference is November 12-15 at the KSU Research Farm near Frankfort. KY AgrAbility will speak at the conference on Thursday and will have demonstrations of the accessible raised bed gardening project, the modified Kubota UTV, and the Kioti demonstration tractor.

The end of November will hold the 97th Annual KY Farm Bureau Convention. KY AgrAbility will be in attendance and will be in the exhibit hall to talk to the more than 2,000 in attendance. The convention is held at the Galt House in downtown Louisville, KY.

Submitted by Linda Bokros