Missouri

Missouri AgrAbility focused its social media efforts on program promotion for MU Extension & partner programs. Additionally, it launched a new social media campaign featuring the Missouri AgrAbility team members and highlighting what they enjoy about their work with AgrAbility. Staff kicked off their campaign with PI and Program Director Karen Funkenbusch. Tune in each Wednesday in February, March, and April to meet one of our Missouri AgrAbility team members. If you have not already, make sure to like and follow Missouri AgrAbility, @MOAgrAbility, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This month, MU Extension also continued to use USDA NIFA funds to efficiently provide customers and their families, including veteran farmers and their families, with direct on-the-farm assistance in a timely manner. Direct assistance included working with statewide stakeholders and cooperators who focused their efforts on the early identification of farm and rural families who are in need of services related to the disability of an individual. MU Extension agriculture and natural resources and livestock specialists assisted AgrAbility customers by providing individualized consultative services that increases the likelihood that AgrAbility customers and their farm operations experience success. To address the specialized need of Missouri customers and their families, Brenda Schreck, Joni Harper, Elizabeth Picking, and Karen Funkenbusch assisted farmers and ranchers by helping them with product selection advice, accessibility and ergonomics recommendations, life activity and farm operations planning guidance, and advocacy to obtain services and financial aid. Direct assistance also occurred by meeting with farmers directly on their farm or remotely via electronic means such as by webcam, Teams, and Zoom.

Submitted by Tevin Uthlaut, Brenda Schreck, Elizabeth Picking, and Karen Funkenbusch

The Missouri AgrAbility Project (MAP) is currently working to offer its third behavioral education-based workshop to agricultural professionals in a series focusing on mental health and farmers with disabilities. The first training workshop took place in-person at the Lincoln University Carver Research Farm in Jefferson City, Missouri, on October 15 with the focus on a curriculum called "Weathering the Storm". The second training class took place December 9 and focused on "QPR Gatekeeper" training. Lastly, a more in-depth training will take place February 17to enable staff from the Lincoln University Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (LUCE ISFOP) and partner staff members to complete "Mental Health First Aid". The purpose of these training workshops is to connect LUCE ISFOP staff and the Missouri partners with behavioral health educational tools and mental health resources in their toolbox to better serve AgrAbility customers and their families throughout the state of Missouri.

Submitted by Shon Bishop

Forty-three veterans with brain injury recently completed the Heroes to Hives (H2H) online course offered by Michigan State University and the Missouri State H2H Chapter's face-to-face and hands-on program. H2H is a unique program offered through Michigan State University and the Missouri AgrAbility Project. The H2H program seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through free professional training and community development centered around beekeeping. Missouri veteran students understand the importance of pollinators in U.S. agriculture and stand to protect managed bees through small-scale, sustainable beekeeping operations. The H2H online course has nine modules which include pre-recorded lecture videos, articles, and quizzes. The online course also is self-paced, allowing students with disabilities to review course materials at their own pace and on their own schedules. There were no live or synchronous sessions. The Brain Injury Association of Missouri, in partnership with Missouri AgrAbility, will offer all veteran beekeepers with disabilities information, support, and direct on-the-farm technical assistance related to the effects of their disabilities plus ways in which to successfully maintain their beekeeping operations. Information about the H2H program can be found here, and Missouri's Heroes to Hives as the first State Chapter here.

Submitted by Maureen Cunningham and Karen Funkenbusch