Erin Main, AK AgrAbility client service administrator, has been able to begin meeting in-person with clients at their farms to resume some onsite assessments. More assessments are planned for this summer and, like many state projects, staff have been very busy with what seems like trying to make up for a year in one summer!
Art Nash has been planning and working on logistics with developing an accessible garden demonstration site adjacent to the Palmer State Fairgrounds. Funds for this great opportunity were provided by AARP in partnership with AK AgrAbility. Other discussions are underway around the state for other demonstration sites to provide education and awareness to gardening and agricultural accessible information.
July is shaping up to be fast-paced and on the go. The team is excited that they have the privilege of hosting Ned Stoller from Michigan AgrAbility while he is in Alaska on vacation. Staff are looking forward to spending some time with Ned and benefiting from his long history with AgrAbility and ag engineering expertise. In anticipation of Ned's visit, he delivered two workshops in June for Alaska via Zoom titled "Market Farm & Garden Assistive Technology" and "Beekeeping Assistive Technology". During Ned's first week in Alaska, he and AK AgrAbility staff will be doing some visits and engagements with the community in Delta Junction where bison, elk, and yak roam free and where everyone in the community can tell you were to get the best yak burger in town!
DeShana York is part of a planning committee working to host the first-ever Alaska Farm Bureau Ag Convention & Expo in Anchorage on November 12-14, 2021. If interested in attending to provide a presentation on behalf of AgrAbility or interested in being a vendor, contact DeShana at ddyork@alaska.edu.
Submitted by DeShana York