National AgrAbility Project
2023 NTW Updates:
- Don't forget to start thinking about auction items. Items can be shipped ahead of time to: Kimberly Lengerich at 8615 N. Lehman Rd. Spokane, WA 99217. Please indicate somewhere on the packaging that it is for the AgrAbility NTW auction and let Kim know that an item is being shipped to her. Her email is kjdevries@wsu.edu, or you can call her at 360-333-1067.
(Photo courtesy of WA State Department of Agriculture)
A regional workshop was held in Reno at the Silver Legacy Resort November 29th - December 1st. There were 21 people in attendance from 8 different states/territories including three participants from Guam. The presentations on WSA, AT, WRSAP, and Mental Health and Wellness were well received. Great conversations were had, and information was shared during breaks, lunch, and small group discussions. The tour on December 1st visited Lattin Farms, Frey Farm and Distillery, and Wolf Pack Meats. Copies of the sessions will be archived on the NAP website soon.
For any questions or are if interested in hosting a Regional Workshop, contact Tess McKeel at tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org or 585-447-9015.
Bill Field and Chuck Baldwin were involved in the national Agricultural Extension conference, "Connecting with Amish and Other Plain Communities", in Shipshewana, IN, November 1-3. In addition to staffing an AgrAbility booth, Bill and Chuck hosted a discussion session Tuesday evening on AgrAbility's services and resources for Amish and other Plain groups. Indiana AgrAbility consultant Susan Pletcher shared her personal experiences dealing with a husband with spinal cord injury and leading the Spinal Cord Injured Persons - In Touch (SCIP-IT) group among the Amish and Mennonites in Northern Indiana. Linda Fetzer and Abbie Spackman from AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians were also there and added to the discussions. Bill also presented AgrAbility during a breakout session on Thursday morning.
The conference was attended by 105 people and the speakers were all excellent. One of the most helpful take-homes for Chuck was the explanation that in Amish society, while the male is generally the person "out front" in conversations and sharing decisions - in reality, when questions come up, the decision is often made in "back-stage" conversations with the family, wife, or other members of the Amish community before the man shares that decision. Therefore, when working with Amish and needing to ask for a decision on a question, it is often wise to plan to come back for the answer at a different time/date to give them the chance for these back-stage conversations. Without the time to consult with others, most often the immediate response will be "No."
Ed Sheldon, Chuck Baldwin, and John Jamerson (LIFE Project 2501 grant director) presented AgrAbility and the LIFE Project at the National Black Farmers Association annual conference in McComb, Mississippi, November 4-5. More than 550 socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers attended the conference. In addition to speaking, many rewarding conversations were held with attendees at the AgrAbility booth, including a conversation with the gentleman from Dinwiddie, VA, who won the "Oldest Farmer" award from the NBFA - 96 years 
old - and still going strong! Each year, old ties for AgrAbility with the NBFA are made stronger, and new relationships are created. This is a great opportunity to understand better the trials and victories that many African American and Native American farmers experience every day, and to encourage them in ways that improve their quality of life.
Submitted by Chuck Baldwin