Tennessee
TNAP co-hosted an informational Zoom about Southern Ag Exchange-Tennessee (SAgE-TN). It is TN's "chapter" of the overall farm stress initiative in the southern region. SAgE-TN goals:
- increase awareness about farm stress
- increase capacity of professionals to discuss farm stress
- offer farm stress-related programs and resources to the people in the ag industry.
This does NOT mean those who participate are offering mental health services. TNAP will help with regional in-services in 2023.
TN AgrAbility team, UT/TSU Extension, and non-profit partner The STAR Center participated in Zoom trainings on December 14 and 15 for the UT Center for Literacy, Education & Employment to a group of community rehabilitation service providers. These providers work with people with disabilities through TN Vocational Rehabilitation, The STAR Center, or other assistive technology centers in Tennessee. The purpose of the training was for participants to gain knowledge about TN AgrAbility since many of the providers do not work directly with agriculture producers.
"If I was a chicken, I would like it." This statement was made by Sydney Maitland as he received a late Christmas present before 2022 ended. He received three chicken tractors to begin his new poultry farm enterprise with assistance from TN AgrAbility, UT TSU Extension, MANAGE Program, The STAR Center, TN Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, H & H Farms, TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' ECF program, and Governor Bill Lee's TN Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder. TNAP cannot wait to see the development of Sydney's new business.
The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. Regardless of whether or not one is living with disabilities or the different kinds of holidays one observes, this season is filled with demanding tasks. These high stress times often leave those with disabilities feeling like they have no outlet for the anxiety they may be experiencing. If this is the 
case, music therapy is a great tool that may help.
The STAR Center, TNAP's non-profit partner, offers board-certified music therapists who are highly trained and eager to help use music therapy for both social engagement and emotional regulation to make hectic times a little less overwhelming. Anyone interested in getting a loved one set up with a music therapist can simply fill out the online form here.
Eileen Legault was asked to serve on the National AgrAbility advisory team and will serve as one of the state AgrAbility members from 2022-23 (August - July) for a one-year term. The advisory team provides feedback on National activities and direction. In December, the NAP advisory team held their annual meeting in Indianapolis and via Zoom with lots of planning for 2023.
Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TNAP)