California

California AgrAbility staff hosted the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP) quarterly meeting on July 8. Tess McKeel shared event details for the upcoming AgrAbility Regional Training Workshop in Billings, Montana. Speakers from Oregon State University and Farm Aid's Farm Services Network gave an overview of their services to support mental health in agriculture and shared their experiences collaborating with WRASAP.

Staff attended Adaptive Farming with the New Mexico AgrAbility Apprenticeship Program, a virtual webinar presented by the National AgrAbility Project as part of their virtual National Training Workshop series. A representative from Mandy's Farm, a non-profit organization in New Mexico, gave an overview of the New Mexico AgrAbility Apprenticeship Program. The speaker highlighted the ways in which the apprenticeship program assists individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The program educates and trains apprentices on adaptive farming techniques and the use of adaptive tools. It also provides apprentices with everything they need to start successfully in agriculture. This includes land, seeds, educational support, adaptive tools, and direct support and assistance.

California AgrAbility's Esmeralda Mandujano moderated the 23rd AgrAbility National Training Workshop virtual session "Community of Support for Return to Work Life," with presenters Wanda Caron and Katra Crosson of Alpha One Independent Living Center and Maine AgrAbility. The speakers provided an overview of Alpha One and the ways in which they assist individuals living with a disability to return safely to work life.

Submitted by California AgrAbility Project