Tennessee

The Emergency Management Association of Tennessee (EMAT) welcomed over 500 first responders and healthcare professionals to Knoxville, TN, for their 37th annual conference in April. TN AgrAbility partnered with TN Farm Bureau and the TN Association of Rescue Squads in an educational exhibit highlighting grain bin safety and rescue work conducted in their state. The Southern Ag Exchange Network TN was part of the exhibit, providing information on farm stress.

Over 150 attended the 2023 TN Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Conference held at the TN Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, TN, recently. TN AgrAbility's educational exhibit on small tools was geared toward those with back and chronic diseases and included the EZ back handle, the garden scooter, anti-vibration gloves, small adaptive tool kits, and booklets on arthritis, and how to take proper care of your back.

The first session of the West TN New Farmer Academy began in April with 60 participants. The first session serves as an overview of the partners who serve the agriculture industry in Tennessee. TN AgrAbility staff presented information about the AgrAbility program and how staff members provide and find assistive technology for producers facing physical limitations.

TN AgrAbility staff had the honor of being introduced to the Stewart Creek FFA's Ag Issues Forum Team at the FFA State Convention. The team placed 2nd in the nation in 2022 on the topic of "ADA in the Ag Industry." Paul Jones, with National AgrAbility, had previously met with them via ZOOM. The group traveled to several farms and organizations in Tennessee to discuss ADA issues, and they met with Mr. Tim Williams of Farm Credit Mid-America who spoke with the team about how Farm Credit has partnered with AgrAbility to sponsor assistive technology for local farmers.

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project