November 1-2, 60 women in agriculture participated in Pearls of Production, a two-day hands-on conference for women interested in livestock production. Women in agriculture during the beef session had some neat hands-on learning opportunities that included information on DNA tests and their practical applications, safe cattle handling concepts, and an introduction to ergonomic equipment, hands-on blood testing (tail and jugular), hands-on tissue sampling, and a demonstration of and discussion on ergonomic equipment for cattle management (taggers, bottles, etc.). Participants learned about services offered by MO AgrAbility and received stress and suicide prevention resources specific to Missouri. Additional information about the annual Pearls of Production event is found at https://www.facebook.com/womenandagriculture/.
November 4, Missouri AgrAbility participated in the Brain Injury Association Support Group meeting in Southeast Missouri. Participants learned about services offered by MO AgrAbility as well as opportunities offered by MU Extension and cooperative partners with their region such as Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Rehab Services for the Blind, USDA Farm Services Agency, NRCS, and the center for independent living.
Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch
Karen Funkenbusch, PI of the Missouri AgrAbility Project, and Maureen Cunningham, Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO), attended the BIA-MO Support Group in Cape Girardeau, MO. They discussed the MAP in detail, including services of MAP partners Rehab Services for the Blind and University of Missouri Extension - Cape County.
David Middleton, farm outreach worker with MAP partner Lincoln University, attended the BIA-MO Networking Coffee in Springfield, MO. He provided an overview of the Missouri AgrAbility Project and his role of on-the-farm assessments for farmers with disabilities to help them continue to be successful in farming. David made good connections with the rehabilitation, vocational, and community support professionals in attendance.
Submitted by Maureen Cunningham