Tennessee
The Milan No Till Field Day was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19. So, for the first time, all activities were on-line instead of onsite. "The comments received have been overwhelmingly positive." (Blake Brown, director of the Ag Research & Education Center of Milan.) TN AgrAbility tour's featured five segments generated 571 views. Click the links here to view the entire Milan No Till Field Day and the TN AgrAbility tour.
COVID-19 brought about many changes in the teaching world. Instead of an in-class presentation, TNAP presented virtually to 80 Tennessee State University and UT health science OT students. Four TSU students chose TNAP for their class summer project. They met with TNAP staff and decided they wanted the challenge of working on the TN AgrAbility intake form. They made their presentation during the month of July and the TNAP staff believes it is a form that they will use in the future.
On July 26, TN AgrAbility celebrated and promoted the Americans with Disabilities Act 30th anniversary. Staff were reminded that it is a living document, not an artifact. Thirty years after it was signed, the work to help people with disabilities live fully-included lives continues. Staff are proud of AgrAbility's role in helping farmers with disabilities continue farming and living in the spirit of the ADA. They will continue to do what they can to achieve this goal so that everyone in the community can thrive. Together, we all make a difference.
Thank you to the Farmer Veteran Coalition for awarding fellowship funds to help beginning farmers. There were six Tennessee awardees:
- Kevin Benderman who raises mixed livestock was awarded $4,565 to use for a Featherman PRO XL Set-Up with Roto-Dunker
- Keith Bridges owns Knox Goats and received $ 5,000 for fencing from Premier 1
- Richard Hanson grows vegetables, lambs, and bees, and was awarded $2,915 for a paper pot transplanter
- Jason Pohly, a diversified farmer, was awarded $2,500 for Dexter cattle
- In addition, James Artman and Anna Ashton each received the Tractor Supply Company's $1,000 gift card. Jim Artman is founder of Appalachian Grit in Knoxville, TN, and the East TN rep of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN
Farmer Veteran Coalition shared the following:
"There are a whole lot of big smiles this weekend on the faces of farmer veterans as Tractor Supply Co. awards are landing in the mailboxes of our 2020 grantees! This time of year is always a big thrill for us. Congrats to the 50 nationwide fantastic, most deserving recipients who each received $1,000 gift cards, including James Artman of Appalachian Grit. 'Our entire Team is so excited for great things to come with your shopping excursions and grant purchases. Huge shout-out to Tractor Supply Co for continuing to be an incredible partner on this grant in recognition of our armed forces.'" To learn more about Jim's journey and how Appalachian Grit can change the landscape of your life for good, visit his website.
Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project