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August 2019

Pennsylvania

AgrAbility PA Regional Workshop: Registration Open! Oct. 8-9, 2019 | Days Inn Penn State | State College, PA. The AgrAbility PA team is excited to announce that we will be hosting a regional workshop in conjunction with the National AgrAbility Project in STATE COLLEGE, PA!

Registration and reservation details: Click here

This two-day workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about occupational therapy and assistive technology on the farm - working together to keep farmers farming! The first day will include opening remarks, sessions, and a farmer panel. The second day will include farm tours of AgrAbility PA-connected farms and farmers.


AgrAbility PA provided hands-on AT demos and information during a Twilight Meeting hosted by Penn State Extension at Keystone Dairy, a family owned/operated dairy farm in Cambria County. Over 100 attendees participated in a farm tour, viewed Extension education booths, and enjoyed locally made ice cream from Vale Wood Farms. Attendees enjoyed trying out Gripeeze gloves and testing their grip strength at the AgrAbility booth.


AgrAbility PA Project Assistant Abbie Spackman provided an "agriCULTURE 101" training session for the staff at the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF). The session provided an overview of agriculture in Pennsylvania, agricultural demographics, cultural factors in farming communities, and common assistive technology found in agricultural settings. This was also an opportunity for staff who do not have agricultural backgrounds to ask questions that may not otherwise have been asked. Questions ranged from "What is a combine?" to "What do we need to know when looking a farmer's tax records and business plans?" These questions and the interactions were greatly appreciated. PATF partners with AgrAbility to provide low interest loans to agricultural individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions. This training session provided the staff with information that will help them provide better services to the agricultural community.

Submitted by Abbie Spackman