Missouri
Missouri AgrAbility continued to increase the likelihood that individuals with disabilities, including veterans, and their families engaged in production agriculture (AgrAbility customers) become more successful. For example, this month, Missouri's efforts included educating participants about ways in which to avoid secondary injuries, shared information with stakeholders, assisted farmers and their rural families with individualized consultative services, and facilitated project awareness about MO AgrAbility's programs, services, and activities.
Brenda Schreck and Elizabeth Picking, both MU Extension regional specialists in livestock and who are regional AgrAbility outreach coordinators, focused their efforts on the early identification of farm and rural families who needed on-farm services. Both provided individualized consultative services with assistance from Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehab Services for the Blind case managers David Middleton, Susan Jaster, and Karen Funkenbusch - all from Missouri AgrAbility. 
A few key points on 4-H Save Your Brain (SYB):
- Staff recruited 8 new 4-H SYB ambassadors and three new volunteers.
- Staff scheduled another "Train the Trainer" for January.
- Staff worked this past month with volunteers and 4-H SYB ambassadors to host a BMX rider and Kevin Hines to speak to
students from Summersville and Winona School Districts regarding safety, making good choices, the importance of mental health, and inclusivity of individuals with disabilities. - Staff concluded four SPIN Clubs since the start of the new 4-H program year that began October 1st. These SPIN Clubs have reached over 300 students.
Missouri AgrAbility news stories reached more than three million through state and national publications, web pages, blogs, newspapers, and social media sites. This is a team effort by specialists involved with the Missouri AgrAbility Project, MU Extension communications, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources communications, and numerous media throughout the state and the United States. Unfortunately, due to holiday vacations, numbers are not available for the Veteran's Day promotion of accessible beekeeping and Heroes to Hives participants.
Submitted by Emily Doosing, Linda Geist, Karen Funkenbusch, and Tevin Uthlaut
4-H Save Your Brain Program and Missouri AgrAbility were highlighted by Maureen Cunningham with the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) at an exhibit during the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) Convention November 17 and 18, 2022. Urban and rural educators throughout Missouri learned about 4-H Save Your Brain curriculum, and Missouri AgrAbility as a resource for students and their families who are impacted by disability, including brain injury.
Submitted by Maureen Cunningham