Kentucky

Kentucky AgrAbility is still going strong this fall. It seems like the weather went from full-on summer to winter in just a day. Most of the crops are in and it is time for the farmers to attend some of the conferences and workshops around the country.
The final Extension agent trainings were held at the beginning of the month with about one hundred and fifty agents attending. These agents are from the eastern part of the state and represented both UK and KSU.

Mike Lewis traveled to Shreveport, LA, for the National Black Farmers
Association conference on November 2. He shared a presentation time with Chuck Baldwin from the National AgrAbility Project. Mike spoke on the military veteran and the connection with AgrAbility.

The Kentucky State University's Small Farm Conference was held at the KSU Benson Research Farm in Frankfort, KY, November 13 -15. The November 16 Third Thursday Event was the last day of the conference and traditionally the day for KY AgrAbility to talk to conference attendees. Cindy Jacobelli, from KY Easter Seals spoke on the benefits of recreation and hobbies for overall well-being. She incorporated the benefits of gardening as a way to enjoy the outdoors and how to adapt the garden to the limitations the farmer or family members might have. For example, using raised beds or greenhouses might benefit someone with arthritis. Dr. Elizabeth Hunter from the UK Graduate Center for Gerontology spoke about "Aging on the Farm."

The last speakers of the day were Linda Bokros and Kevin Horn. The message to those in attendance was on AgrAbility, the assistive technology available to those with physical and mental limitations, and how AgrAbility may be able to help. The inclement weather prohibited the demonstration of the modified agricultural equipment kept at the farm, but many questions were answered and several referrals were received to visit farmers and assess their problems.

The 100th Anniversary of the KY Farm Bureau Convention was held November 27-December 1 at the Galt House in Louisville. Linda Bokros hosted the exhibit table on Thursday in the exhibitors hall. Once again, it was a full house with Extension agents, Farm Bureau members, and state agriculture dignitaries. The exhibit gave AgrAbility a way to reach across the entire state and talk to both existing clients and those that are looking for help with physical problems they are having maintaining their farms. KY AgrAbility also received invitations to many events at counties across the state.

Submitted by Linda Bokros