Ohio

Ohio AgrAbility's mission of education and assistance was on full display at the Farm Science Review in London, Ohio, September 20 - 22. Staff, farmers, and vendors greeted visitors, demonstrated assistive technology, displayed a tractor seat comparison display, and showcased equipment to keep farmers working safely and productively. Highlights of the display were a pilot lift and an accessible lawn tractor from LifeLyfts, plus the irrepressible Marty Cotterman, who not only demonstrated his own LifeLyfts equipment, but also helped run the spinning prize wheel, asking trivia questions about Ohio ag, safety, AT, AgrAbility, and stretches, and distributed candy to everyone who spun the wheel. The prize wheel drew visitors into the tent and gave staff (and Marty) the opportunity to share information about Ohio AgrAbility, assistive tech equipment and devices, and agricultural trivia.

Mark Zieman from K&M Manufacturing supplied a tractor seat display and led visitors through a comparison of different types of seats - from the metal pan seat to a pair of air ride seats with increasingly more comfortable suspensions - and discussed seat adjustment options and all-weather materials. Having the seats not only encouraged people to try them out for comparison, but they also provided a restful place to sit, and afforded opportunities for further discussion about Ohio AgrAbility's services and universal design technology for all farmers.

Cursive Ohio Bike Adventures charity ride was held September 3 in Hardin County, Ohio, with almost 100 riders participating in the ride. All proceeds benefit Ohio AgrAbility. Austin Heil, the founder of Cursive Ohio, presented Ohio AgrAbility with a check for $4,465 at Farm Science Review. This was the second year the Cursive Ohio bike ride benefited Ohio AgrAbility, and everyone on the staff is very grateful for the time and effort of Austin, his business partner Kevin, and all of the riders and volunteers who participated.

Submitted by Laura Akgerman