Colorado
Colorado AgrAbility Program Coordinator Ellis Vidmar attended an event, "Apps with AgWell" with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union's non-profit project, AgWell. The event was hosted at a local brewery, and RMFU purchased appetizers for anyone who worked in agriculture. Ellis made great connections with ag producers and with the representatives from Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Colorado AgrAbility hopes to partner with AgWell and RMFU in the future!
Colorado AgrAbility's behavioral health specialist Chad Reznicek partnered with AgWell to host workshops at the State 4H convention that took place at CSU campus June 20-22. Three workshops were offered on the topic, "Stronger together. Learn how to better support your friends and family experiencing mental health challenges and hard times".
The workshops focused on engaging amazing 4H youth in discussing social connectedness as the most important protective factor for overall wellbeing. Participants were guided in discussions and activities exploring their experiences on topics such as recognizing when others are struggling, how to give and receive help, and increasing awareness of the strategies and resources to support others going through tough times. The future of farming and ranching depends on strong agricultural and rural communities. It was very encouraging to see the awareness, creativity, skill, and genuine care of the 4H youth and to learn how much they are already doing to strengthen their communities.
Staff Changes and Recognition
The Colorado AgrAbility Project is excited to welcome Ashley Buchanan, M. A. Ed/SPE, M. Ext. Ed.! Ashley serves as a Rural Rehabilitation Specialist with our non-profit partner, Goodwill of Colorado!
Prior to joining the project, Ashley worked with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as both a VR counselor and business outreach specialist. She was a special education teacher within elementary, middle, and high schools in multiple rural portions of Colorado. Ashley prides herself on the experiences she has with both the youth and adult populations with disabilities and their families within rural areas and having an agricultural connection with them. Ashley did not grow up in a rural area of the state but lived in a very rural part of Nebraska for a short time and fell in love with the culture and closeness of a smaller community. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Colorado AgrAbility team as she has known about this project for some time and loves what it stands for and hopes to make a real difference in the lives of individuals who are within agricultural related occupations.
Submitted by Ellis Vidmar