Tennessee
Central TN New Farmer Academy (NFA) Instructor and TN AgrAbility TSU PI Finis Stribling and John Ferrell, TSU ANR Extension agent, demonstrated two pieces of equipment - a tractor and a Rain-Flo 2400 Plastic Mulch Layer to students at the April NFA. Finis also spoke to the class about the TN AgrAbility Project and how it serves those in agriculture with physical challenges.
Emergency Management Association Training Conference invited TN AgrAbility, TN Farm Bureau, and TN Association of Rescue Squads to set up a TN Grain Bin Safety & Rescue Awareness Training display. TNAP and Farm Bureau staff spoke to several rescue personnel about the training, rescue equipment, AgrAbility, and farmer veterans.
"Reach for your dreams" is Sydney's message for Tennesseans with autism. TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) highlighted autism during April by sharing stories of Tennesseans with autism. There's no place Sydney feels more like himself than when he's on his farm. TN AgrAbility, UT MANAGE, Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation, and Tennessee Department of Human Services are partnering together to find the right fit for Sydney to make a living doing what he loves. Visit the TN AgrAbility Facebook page to hear Sydney's story.
A friend of a friend of a friend is how a Gibson County farmer and the love from his family and friends was able to have a lift built for his tractor. "All I want is for my dad to be able to continue farming for as long as he can." said his son Travis when he called TNAP. TN AgrAbility staff had heard from a different Gibson County farmer that another Gibson County farmer had built his dad a lift for their tractor. TNAP contacted all involved, and Triple L Farms and some friends were able to design a lift to fit his Case tractor from the designs for a John Deere.
Assistive Technology Awareness Day (April 6) was promoted by The Star Center, TN AgrAbility's nonprofit partner, and was used to introduce their assistive technology specialists across the state. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution to shed important light on assistive technology and celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day. The day honored people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognized the innovation of researchers and the complete dedication of AT specialists and program providers who operate AT programs across the US and US territories so that millions of individuals can acquire low-cost and often no-cost AT. Every day TN AgrAbility celebrates AT!
The 2022 UT Organic Farming and Gardening Field Day was a great day of outreach and education for TN AgrAbility. TN AgrAbility joined with Frontline Gardens at an exhibit booth with creative ways to show "Everywhere You Look UT" and TN AgrAbility. Thank you, UT President Boyd, for talking about TN AgrAbility's services at the luncheon speech and for visiting with TN AgrAbility and Frontline Gardens to learn more about their programs!
SAVE THE DATE: The LIFE Project/AgrAbility/TSU 1890s Workshop is to be held at Tennessee State University's downtown Nashville campus June 7-8, 2022. Note: There are 20 rooms available the night of June 7th at the discounted rate of $139.65/night including taxes. The LIFE Project team will be sponsoring the first 10 rooms booked on a first booked/first served basis for the first 10 farmers or veterans traveling 50 miles or further away from TSU (Nashville). If additional assistance is needed for farmers or veterans with disabilities, contact Tameka Peoples via email at InspiredSolutions@peoples-foundation.org or by phone (916)402-5257.
Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project