Missouri

Emily Doosing, field specialist in 4-H youth development attended the sports concussion seminars in St. Louis and Kansas City while Karen Funkenbusch, project director attended, exhibited, and moderated program sessions. Doosing also provided training/consultation to three volunteers on making ADA accommodations in 4-H programs. She also met with the 4-H Save Your Brain Ambassadors to plan upcoming service projects.

David Middleton, MO AgrAbility consultant & MO AgrAbility ambassador, exhibited at the Midwest's best indoor 62nd 2024 Western Farm Show at the Health & Safety Roundup. The Health and Safety Roundup is coordinated by the Missouri Farm Bureau and was open during regular farm show hours. It was located on the upper level of the American Royal Complex. There were hundreds of exhibitors, the latest in farm and ranch technology, acres of things to do, and it featured interactive and educational health and safety exhibits for the entire family.

Submitted by Karen Funkenbusch, Linda Geist, Emily Doosing, and Willard Downs

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (LUCE ISFOP) team of Maurice Theriot, Demetrius Moore, and Penny Wilson exhibited at Missouri AgConnect on February 2nd and 3rd, an event connecting small-scale farmers to resources in Southeast Missouri. Local farmers including AgrAbility clients received information on upcoming workshops related to MO AgrAbility, Heroes to Hives Missouri State Chapter, 2501 OPPE, MO Farm and Ranch Stress, farm safety and resources, and available USDA programs.

Mary Keeter and Karen Funkenbusch exhibited at the 100th Annual Jefferson County Agriculture Conference on Saturday, February 24th. They shared stress relief and suicide prevention resources; displayed and discussed ergonomic tools; passed out health, safety, and well-being materials; and provided information on upcoming programing events with local farmers and regional community partners. Mary Keeter also gave a presentation, "Grow Your Own Mushrooms," which included information on safe tool usage and ergonomic setups.

On February 27th, seven Lincoln University staff members joined University of Missouri Extension along with NRCS, St. Louis Urban Hub, and several non-profit professional staff members for an ISE on low tunnels for small-scale farmers including AgrAbility Clients. Mary Keeter also gave a demonstration using hoop benders to build a low tunnel using an ergonomic staple setter. The same demonstration was provided February 28th to a group of small-scale urban farmers.

Submitted by Mary Keeter

Missouri AgrAbility was highlighted as a statewide program sponsor for the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) "Sports Concussions: Facts, Fallacies and New Frontiers" seminars. Three in-person and one live-stream seminar was held between February 26 - March 1 across Missouri. Approximately 200 school personnel and youth sports coaches gained knowledge about recognizing a possible concussion from sports or daily activities, including farm accidents. Missouri AgrAbility was also featured as a partner for the "Get Schooled on Concussions for Missouri" resource to help teachers support rural kids in returning to learning following a concussion.

Submitted by: Maureen Cunningham