Tennessee

"I have one excited papa!" - This is a quote that came via text along with pictures that a TN AgrAbility staff member received from a customer's daughter. TN AgrAbility had helped a 46-year-old farmer with back issues that had resulted in back surgery, neuropathy/foot drop, and arthritis. He is a livestock producer, and sitting in the tractor seat for long periods of time wore him out. With his neuropathy/foot drop, the tractors steps were a hazard for him. With the assistance of K & M's knowledge of steps and seats, this farmer has a new seat and steps with handrail for his John Deere tractor. The TN farmer said, "I know the seat will save what is left of my back. The steps will keep me from falling and messing something else up. It was a pain in the tail with these leg braces, trying to step up and twist sideways. Now I can just walk straight up."

"Every Farmer Counts" - This was the theme for the 2020 National Farm Health and Safety week. TNAP staff promoted and participated in the informational webinars from Agri-Safe Network, The National Education Center for Ag Safety, and Progressive Agriculture Safety Days. Thank you for the very informative VA AgrAbility webinar, "Spotlight on the Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Toolkit for Managing Farm Stress and Mental Health." Progressive Agriculture Safety Days focused attention on disability awareness. Did you know that often the biggest barriers people with disabilities encounter are other people? Watch this "Daily Learning Drop" share ways to educate youth about this topic during Progressive Agriculture Safety Days. Progressive Agriculture Safety Days also featured a "story hour" each night during National Farm Health and Safety Week. These are very good to watch with younger children. Another resource that was promoted by TNAP was the safety online materials at Agricenter International.

TN AgrAbility participated in the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) 2020 virtual conference. Staff are proud of their partners with TN State University presenting and making national finalist in the "Search for Excellence Young, Beginning or Small Farmers" with its "Slow Your Roll workshop series" by Iris Cui, UT MANAGE specialist and Karla Kean, TN State University Small Farm programs. Several TNAP clients who are veterans with disabilities participate in this wonderful beginning farmer education series in Clarksville.

Tennessee AgrAbility staff promoted the new TN Master Farm Manager Program, which will be held online beginning October 13 and continuing every Tuesday night through December 1, 2020. This is an outstanding new program that was pilot tested this past winter with excellent results. Online registration ($100) and additional information is available at http://masterfarmmanager.tennessee.edu/.

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project