Michigan

Have to let the cat out of the bag! August provided a great month for the lead-in for the implementation of a momentous, long-awaited, indispensable, dream ... Michigan AgrAbility Demonstration Farm! Michigan AgrAbility partnered with Holland area farmer Doug Ver Hoeven to establish a demonstration farm where farmers can "try before they buy"... see and try a variety of assistive technology tools and equipment before investing in aids that can sometimes carry a hefty price tag. In high school, Doug was in a vehicle accident and sustained injuries that placed him in a wheelchair. Undeterred, he has been farming from his wheelchair for over forty years. Doug is an AgrAbility client and a member of the Michigan AgrAbility farmer advisory panel. Through years of farming, he has accumulated tools, ideas, and methods that have helped preserve his working limbs and allowed him to operate his family farm and he wants to share this knowledge with others. Michigan AgrAbility is grateful for Doug's generosity to share his life's learning and his farmstead so others can benefit. Check out the Michigan AgrAbility Facebook page to get a sneak peek. Thank you Bev Berens for sharing the Michigan AgrAbility Demonstration Farm press release.

Tom Wing, a dairy farmer in Barry County, was being held back by the spondylosis that was accelerating in his spine. Michigan AgrAbility, with assistance from Michigan Rehab Services and Easterseals Michigan, helped Tom obtain several items that will improve his safety on the farm and keep him operating his 100-plus cow dairy and 600 acres of crops. See Tom's story on the Michigan AgrAbility Facebook page... In addition to increasing the safety of milking parlor access, Tom also had a new lift installed on his combine to lessen the strain on his body.

If in the MSU neighborhood on Friday, September 6, come eat some of the best pork and side dishes you will ever eat at the Alpha Gamma Rho's annual hog roast fundraiser to support Michigan AgrAbility. 432 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing will not be hard to find... just follow your nose!

Submitted by Deb Chester