Pennsylvania
AgrAbility PA, Penn State Ag Safety and Health, and the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health teamed up to host an interactive display at the 2019 Keystone Farm Show in York, PA. This three-day event is the largest commercial farm equipment and service provider show in the state! Over 130 attendees visited the AgrAbility booth. Hands-on activities included:
- Mr. Lifty - a hands-on way to learn about back health and proper lifting techniques
- Stand 'N Plant planter - a locally made piece of assistive technology for planting transplants and seeds without bending over
- Do-It-Yourself Modified Workspace demo - a hands-on display showing how easily and inexpensively your workspace can be modified to manage pain and reduce injury
- Hand Health demo - attendees could try various types of gloves and experience the impact they can have when performing various tasks
- Many other demos and information on AgrAbility services!
AgrAbility PA staff had a great opportunity to take part in the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the country. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture hosted AgrAbility PA and several other governmental and non-profit organizations for a one-day event honoring veterans, military, and their families. PA Farmer Veteran Project, National Farmer Veteran Coalition, Rodale Institute, and PA’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation were a few of the organizations that were in attendance. Service men and women and their families were honored and recognized, and the event featured Rhonda Smith, who owns The Skirted Soldier - a female veteran-owned operation that specializes in artisan loose tea. 
PA Dept of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was on hand to talk about the opportunities for all Pennsylvanians in the agricultural industry, but especially highlighted those with military experience.
During Keystone Farm Show AgrAbility staff visited with Barry Bergman of Bergman Manufacturing, the making of the Agri-Speed hitch. This is a great piece of assistive technology! Barry will be a vendor at the 2019 NTW in Lincoln. Their video was taken during Keystone Farm Show and demonstrates on the hitch works. This is a commonly recommended piece of assistive technology in Pennsylvania.
Staff is also attending Penn State Extension crop and dairy day events and other agricultural conferences throughout the state. The Extension conferences are hosted by the county Extension offices and draw in farmers who are looking to hear the latest agricultural news and gain pesticide application credits. The AgrAbility PA staff provides information on services and meets with past and potential clients.
Submitted by Abbie Spackman