March 2022
Pennsylvania
February brought several opportunities to further outreach initiatives as well as educational presentations.
Outreach Initiatives:
- Mid Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention: AgrAbility shared space with the PA Office of Rural Health's Worker Protection Standard display at this regional convention. Information available at the exhibit included AgrAbility and PA Assistive Technology Foundation.
- Lebanon County Livestock and Crop Day: AgrAbility and PA Assistive Technology Foundation information were included in Penn State's "Ag Safety and Health" exhibit at this event.
- PA Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals Conference: AgrAbility staff provided an exhibit and networked with young farmers and ag professionals from across Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland; shared information on cab cameras, assistive technology, AgrAbility, and PA Assistive Technology Foundation.
Educational Presentations:
- Staffers Abbie Spackman, Linda Fetzer, and Kendra Martin presented on the topic: "Selecting Farm Tools and Equipment for Health, Safety and Accessibility" at the statewide sustainable agriculture conference, Pasa. The team brought with them and demonstrated several types of tools and showcased larger farm equipment using photos and videos.
- PI Dr. Suzanna Windon presented at the Southern AAAE Conference on the topic of Pennsylvania farmers working in agriculture during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic: what was their stress level and what were their resilience factors.
- Staffers Abbie Spackman and Linda Fetzer presented in the BRS 426 (Biorenewable Systems) undergraduate class at Penn State University. Abbie highlighted AgrAbility, gloves/hand safety, and person-first language, and Linda shared information on youth ag safety.
- Staffer Abbie Spackman taught high school ag students from 7th-12th grade about AgrAbility and assistive technology, and they worked in teams to solve AgrAbility worksite assessment scenarios.
Submitted by Kendra Martin