Pennsylvania
It's sum, sum, summertime! The corn is more than knee high across the state and farmers have settled into the season. The AgrAbility PA team has focused on behind-the-scenes client services - working with a wide range of new clients, farm types, and disabilities. A large part of this work is creating continuity and relationships with the state's OVR staff, occupational therapists, and clients and their families. AgrAbility PA staff are prepping for summer events, including Ag Progress Days (which is a multi-day outdoor agricultural expo) and a workshop training for the state's OVR staff.
AgrAbility PA staff members have been out and about across the state:
- Linda Fetzer presented ag safety strategies for farm visits and highlighted AgrAbility services in a presentation to conservation district staff coordinated by the Penn State Extension agronomy team.
- Kendra Martin presented to farmers, who were mostly Veterans, at Rodale Institute's annual summer training program for veterans in agriculture.
- Abbie Spackman exhibited and shared information on agricultural assistive technology and worksite assessments to attendees at the 2023 Community and Public Health Conference sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health.
- Kendra Martin has been on the higher education circuit presenting to students and faculty at occupational therapy programs across the state, including Central Penn College and Temple University.
The PA team also created new banners to use when exhibiting at outreach events. The farmer silhouettes stand about 5ft. tall and feature a male and female with an open-ended question. The canvases will allow staff to point out pain points, discuss assistive technology, and engage in conversations on how AgrAbility assists farmers and ag workers with a disability or health condition. Staff are looking forward to displaying them at upcoming events!
Submitted by Kendra Martin