Tennessee

February means Pick TN Conference time, and TN AgrAbility had the opportunity to network with producers and agriculture industry representative during this three-day conference. A packed agenda provided many opportunities for producers to attend educational sessions focusing on fruits and vegetables, horticulture, beekeeping, Christmas tree production, and many other topics. This conference is conducted by eight different agriculture organizations/associations in Tennessee. TN AgrAbility helped to plan the Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN annual meeting at the event. The meeting was well attended with approximately 40 members and others attending virtually.

During February, TN AgrAbility staff members attended three Southern Ag Exchange Network (SAgE) of TN farm stress in-services led by Dr. Heather Sedges, associate professor , human development specialist, and principal investigator for SAgE of Tennessee. Twenty counties will develop strategies to share farm stress awareness resources and plan farmer appreciation events.

At the conclusion of Grain Bin Safety Week, February 19 - 25, 77 participants were trained in the grain bin safety and rescue training program in Jackson, Tennessee. The West Tennessee Region 4 TN Association of Rescue Squads' semi-annual February meeting was the host for this training. A special thanks to Verell Farms and Couch Farms for supplying the grain and trailers for the training and to all those who attended.

The training was coordinated by TN AgrAbility and TN Association of Rescue Squads. The morning session consisted of classroom instruction related to safety, grain bin entrapment prevention and rescue equipment. The afternoon session was hands-on; experiencing walking on grain, using harnesses, and using rescue tubes. TN AgrAbility uses these trainings to help emphasize the need to reduce secondary injuries for farmers.

Sad day in TN with the death of Chris Webb, one of TN AgrAbility's friends and farmers. Chris died on February 13. Chris was a beef cattle and hay farmer. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1989 with a degree in Ag business and used it to manage his farming operation. After a life changing car accident on July 30, 2000, Chris farmed with a C-5 incomplete spinal cord injury. Bill Begley and TN AgrAbility helped him gain access to his tractors safely. A Life Essentials platform lift was mounted on his tractor to get Chris back in the tractor and hay fields. TN AgrAbility and GA Farm Again had planned to add hand controls soon since he needed some new tractor modifications. When Chris was first injured, he told the doctor he did not want to go on disability and that he could still work; and Chris worked hard to maintain his independence. His attitude eliminated barriers. He will be missed!

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project