Missouri

MU Extension specialists and Show-Me Farm Safety collaborative partners spent 12 days handing out MO AgrAbility health awareness materials, behavioral/mental health resources, and agricultural safety prevention tips at the 2021 Missouri State Fair. The State Fair served as an open agricultural classroom that provided Missouri producers, agricultural leaders, and fairgoers opportunities to learn strategies to improve their family's health and safety tips about how to safely work around their farm.

Missouri was buzzed with the arrival of their Slovenian AZ hives. AZ hive design eliminates all lifting by the beekeepers. This hive also works from the rear. The rear door arrangement permits a much less intrusive inspection of the hive, allowing access to all parts of the hive easily and immediately. When working the hive from the back, the beekeeper can stand or sit, providing a safer, better fit for beekeepers with disabilities. Heroes to Hives is co-sponsored by USDA NIFA grant projects: MO AgrAbility, MO Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Project, and 2020 North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Alliance Network Center.

Joni Harper, County Engagement Specialist in Agriculture and Environment, was a speaker during the August 24th National AgrAbility panel presentation on State/Regional Programs for farmer veterans. Joni shared information and a short video about the initiative to assist 289 veteran farmers and their dependents with disabilities through Missouri's Heroes to Hives beekeeper program.
Missouri AgrAbility staff also provided on-the-farm agricultural education and services directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for farmers with disabilities and families who are engaged in farming by facilitating three fee-for-service comprehensive onsite farmstead assessments.

Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy, a Missouri AgrAbility collaborator, provided rural wellness outreach and education at the Missouri State Fair on Aug 14th in the MO Ag Theater. Missourians from 44 counties were reached through the effort. Twenty individuals were educated about farm safety and health. Pharm to Farm and Missouri AgrAbility flyers were distributed. Wellness screenings and referrals to follow up care were also provided, including diabetes risk assessment for 52 individuals, with 5 referrals. Seventy-seven individuals were screened for blood pressure with 13 referrals, at a value of over $6500. Emergency services were called to triage one participant. 118 families were educated about OTC Med Safety education, Medication List Wallet Cards were provided, and Dispose RX kits and substance use disorder prevention education was provided to 83 individuals.

Submitted by Kelly Cochran

Missouri AgrAbility marketing was part of the BIA-MO exhibit at the Redbird Rookies Health Fair hosted by St. Louis Cardinals Care. BIA-MO volunteers Kitty Newsham, PhD, and Angie Nowak, RN, shared AgrAbility information and brain injury safety activity sheets with youth and their families. This health and safety fair was held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, with an estimated 700 visitors to the informational booths.

Missouri AgrAbility is featured in the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Annual Statewide Conference Registration Brochure as the Resources in Rural Missouri track sponsor. Marketing of Missouri AgrAbility is also featured in the Fall 2021 issue of the BIA-MO Connections newsletter. These publications will reach more than 3,000 current and potential AgrAbility clients and agricultural, vocational, and rehabilitation professions who serve farmers and ranchers.

Submitted by Maureen Cunningham