Missouri
Missouri AgrAbility launched its social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram (MOAgrAbility)) on February 1, 2019. During February, as staff were growing their social media presence, they launched their first campaign called "#MyStory", where Missouri featured their AgrAbility Barn Builders and highlighted how Missouri AgrAbility was a part of their story as they continued to pursue their passion in agriculture.
During the month of May, the Missouri AgrAbility media campaign had a post reach of 5,625 on Facebook, over 10.3K impressions on Twitter and 1,065 impressions on Instagram. The number of followers is ever increasing as staff continue to highlight stories about AgrAbility Barn Builders and provide resources to the public to raise awareness and promote Missouri AgrAbility.
Submitted by: Tevin Uthlaut
Karen Funkenbusch, Director, Missouri AgrAbility at the University of Missouri Extension (UME) presented Missouri AgrAbility at the Youth & Families spring meeting in Columbia, Missouri. Three hundred fifty MU Extension state and regional Youth and Families faculty learned about AgrAbility's core services, fee for service contracts with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and Rehabilitation Services for Blind (RSB), tapping into MO AgrAbility social media resources, and how MU Extension Youth & Families regional and state faculty work with AgrAbility clients.
Missouri also hosted a one-day workshop for 15 farmers with disabilities that included socially disadvantaged, limited resource women, veterans, and beginning farmers. Participants learned about USDA FSA and NRCS programs and their eligibility process. Next, staff provided information about AgrAbility services and facilitated a round-table discussion about Missouri's internship program. The afternoon sessions offered hands-on learning circles and farm walkabouts.
Missouri AgrAbility co-sponsored the 2019 Explore Missouri Tour in Southwest Missouri. Southwest Missouri highlighted the diversity of the region with farm visits that included beef, dairy, forages, specialty crops, and agriculture innovations. Tour stops included Joplin Regional Stockyards, MU Specialty Research Center, ReNew Biomass, Wilmoth's Ranch, Jackie Moore's Ranch, Millsap Farm, Wacha Farms, Terrell Creek Farms and Dairy, and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Staff from Missouri AgrAbility provided an overview of services, and collaborative partners Mr. David Middleton, ISFOP (FOW), and Mr. Nahshon Bishop, small farm specialist with Innovative Small Farmer's Outreach Program (ISFOP) talked about the Jesup Wagon.
Submitted by: Karen Funkenbusch
Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farmer's Outreach Program (ISFOP) accepted an invitation to present at the Missouri Tomato School in Jefferson City, Missouri, at Lincoln University's Carver Farm on May 30-31, 2019. Mr. David Middleton and Mr. Nahshon Bishop presented on cost effective technologies available to small farmers, which include:
- Irrigation
- Drone Technology
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Season Extension structures and Equipment
- Ergonomic tools
Additional educational outreach venues with the Jesup Wagon 2.0 included:
- LU Cooperative Extension Train-the- Trainer presentation- May 29, 2019
- Farmers Market of the Ozarks Educational Booth- May 18, 2019
- Explore Missouri, University of Missouri Extension Train-the-Trainer- May 23, 2019
Submitted by: Nahshon Bishop
Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Speakers Bureau volunteers shared information about the Missouri AgrAbility Project at an exhibit during the Mercy
St. Louis Health Fair for community on May 10. Courtney Stevens, BIA-MO Office Administrator, marketed the Missouri AgrAbility Project during the exhibit for professionals at the Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference on May 20, 2019. MAP information was also available for participants of the Grey Matter Foundation "Breeze Freeze" social event in Southwest Missouri on May 4. These MAP marketing activities during May reached approximately 500 professionals and potential AgrAbility clients.
Submitted by Maureen Cunningham