Missouri

Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (ISFOP) in collaboration with the University of Missouri was busy throughout the month of December! Using the Jesup Wagon outreach method, David Middleton, Nahshon Bishop, and Karen Funkenbusch demonstrated ergonomic tools and provided research-based information to educate Hmong farmers in Fairview, Missouri, on December 10 about the following topics:

• What is AgrAbility and how can it help you?
• Ergonomic hand and long-handled tools small producers should own to prevent injury
• Why wear ergonomic, anti-vibration and anti-fatigue work gloves
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) you own and wear before spraying pesticides on the farm

An AgrAbility client of Lincoln University has been selected to receive the Agriculture Legacy Award. Sam and Dorothy Harris will be recognized by Missouri's governor, Mike Parson, and the director of the Department of Agriculture, Chris Chinn, at the Missouri Governor's Conference. In addition to farming and being a veteran, Mr. Harris serves as an ambassador for Missouri AgrAbility.

Submitted by: Karen Funkenbusch and Nashon Bishop

Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Speakers Bureau representatives Alyssa Grese, BIA-MO program associate, and volunteer Richard Wessbecher, spoke to future mental health professionals about brain injury and the Beginning Farmer Rancher program for AgrAbility clients during a University of Missouri-St. Louis psychology class on December 3.

The Missouri AgrAbility Project (MAP) was highlighted as a resource during marketing meetings in Southwest Missouri with rehabilitation professionals in Springfield and researchers in Rolla, Missouri. Maureen Cunningham, BIA-MO executive director, discussed partnerships and services of MAP to enable persons to return to productive farming following a brain injury in civilian life or military service.

Submitted by Maureen Cunningham