Indiana

Outreach Coordinator Ed Sheldon joined the Indiana Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation for a workshop on accessible gardening at Flanner Farms in downtown Indianapolis on August 30. The farm is sponsored by Flanner House, a social service organization started in 1898 that assists senior citizens, those in financial distress, families, children, and more. Flanner Farm provides two acres of community-based agricultural production space in the heart of an urban food desert, with numerous raised garden beds to facilitate access for all.

During the workshop, participants toured the farm facility and harvested a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruits to take home for their own use. Ed Sheldon discussed AgrAbility's services to non-traditional audiences, including urban, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers, and displayed several gardening tools designed to assist those with arthritis or similar conditions. The participants then gave some of those tools a real-life test as they harvested vegetables throughout the farm.

Submitted by Ed Sheldon

Senator Mike Braun's office hosted a virtual Veterans in Agriculture night. The Indiana AgrAbility project in partnership with Indiana AgVets and the Farmer Veteran Coalition conducted a zoom discussion for veterans in Indiana on opportunities in agriculture or assistive technology. Overall, it was a great success with numerous questions and interactions. Click HERE to view the Zoom recording.

Submitted by Joe Ricker