Alaska CES received a grant from AARP to develop adaptive growing areas where environmental modifications can be displayed for planting and harvesting of food. This demonstration area will be built using universal design principals. The site will be used to instruct learners how to pick sites with the least hindrances for ambulation and mobility difficulties, how to use landscaping and sloping to avoid outside stairs, and the planning and dimension sizing for wheelchair-friendly growing boxes, etc. Considerations will be given to shade, rest stops, and safety communication concerns. There will also be instruction on how to build accessible cold frames, hoop tunnels, and trellises that allow for residents to plant, weed, water, and harvest their produce. There will be an emphasis on modification of tools and existing structures. This particular grant-funded project will be located in the Matanuska Valley at the University of Alaska Experimental Farm. Collaboration with the AgrAbility project will take place to educate the general public and market AgrAbility to agricultural workers.
Submitted by DeShana York