Last year the Southeast Colorado Water Symposium invited Colorado AgrAbility (CAP) to attend as an exhibitor. Staff did, and their impact seemed to be rather minimal. So, imagine their surprise when they were asked to return. The county Extension director advised the AgrAbility staff that their participation was valued and that they were seen as a valuable partner in agriculture. Staff accepted and set up their display. Seventy-five farmers and ranchers came to hear discussions on water issues, range conservation, ag marketing, and new technologies. A few also took time to visit with the CAP staff.
The Colorado section of the Society for Range Management fall workshop invited CAP to attend their November 6-8, 2018, session held at the Wine Country Inn in Palisade CO. The conference title was: "From A to Z; AgrAbility to Zeedyk." This three-day workshop had as its focus addressing the professional society dedicated to supporting persons who work with rangelands and have a commitment to their sustainable use. Candy Leathers of AgrAbility and client Robert Andrews presented on services and the impact of those services on successful farming.
Each year, Goodwill Industries of Denver hosts a major fundraising event called the Power of Work luncheon. Some 800 to 900 people are in attendance. The focal point of this lunch is a spotlight on clients who have excelled in the face of adversity through hard work and collaboration with Goodwill programs. AgrAbility was asked to nominate one of their farmer clients. Staff selected a young agronomist who had sustained a thoracic spinal infarct that left him with paraplegia. Brady could have stayed home with his family who would have cared for him, but he wanted to be an agronomist. So, he contacted AgrAbility and a partnership was formed with CAP, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, metal fabrication shops, truck bed makers, rehab engineering companies, and drone manufacturers. Eventually, Brady was able to obtain a Bruno Valet, a Life Essentials lift, a special truck bed that can lift a UTV on and off the truck, and an ag drone from Agribotix. CO AgrAbility staff were notified in late November that Brady is one of three finalists and may be honored at the April 2019 lunch.
Submitted by Jim Craig