Missouri

Missouri AgrAbility (MAP) and Michigan State University introduced Missouri as the first state chapter of Heroes to Hives, a program supporting veterans who want to learn beekeeping, at the Brain Injury Association of Missouri Annual Statewide Professional Development Conference. Army veteran Adam Ingrao, an agricultural entomologist at Michigan State University Extension, began Heroes to Hives in 2015 with his wife, Lacey. Beekeeper and University of Missouri Extension agronomist Travis Harper taught the hands-on portion of the program. Harper and his wife, MU Extension horticulturist Joni Harper, have made numerous presentations on beekeeping, and Harper began the Missouri Master Pollinator Steward program with retired MU Extension horticulturist James Quinn.

Missouri AgrAbility was also invited to participate in the Missouri Veterans Suicide Prevention Committee to address Missouri Governor Parson's proclamation, prioritizing suicide prevention among veterans and all citizens. The Purpose of the committee is to address the impact of suicide, and to make connections between suicide prevention and the work Mo AgrAbility does to assist Veteran Client farmers with disabilities across the state.

Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch

Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (LU ISFOP) in collaboration with the University of Missouri held an educational booth in Springfield, Missouri, at the Ozarks Fall Farm Fest. The booth highlighted:

• What is the Missouri AgrAbility Project?
• What resources can the AgrAbility Project offer farmers?
• Lincoln University Cooperative Extension- ISOFP
• University of Missouri Extension

Submitted by Shon Bishop