Tennessee

THANK YOU to GA AgrAbility FARM AGAIN for being gracious hosts, and to Tess McKeel and the NTW planning committee for hours of calls and work toward the AgrAbility National Training Workshop (NTW) in Atlanta, Georgia. There were 15 attendees (seven TN AgrAbility farmers and eight professionals) from Tennessee. Along with further training and open discussions about the future of accessible farming, attendees were offered the opportunity to tour Shepherd Center, the renowned spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital. The STAR Center, TNAP non-profit partner, presented two conference breakout sessions: "Physical Accommodations and Vehicle Modifications," and "Assistive Technology to Support Vision and Hearing Loss in a Farm Setting." Jason Barber, TNAP Bedford County farmer, spoke at three different sessions about assistive technology that helps visually impaired farmers and promoted "Farming Blind with Duck." Thank you to the TN AgrAbility team who presented at two sessions plus the two TN farmers who told their farm stories on the farmer veteran panel, Stephanie Trost and Mark and Kate Bowen. Tesha Humphreys with UT Family and Consumer Sciences shared resource updates from the regional SAgE (Southern Ag Exchange Network - USDA's Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

Thank you to Pokeadot Hops Cabin and the Trosts (TNAP farmers) for donating a two-night stay to their cabin for the live auction. Staff believe networking with other state projects and farmers is the best part every year, but T-bone, feature bull at the NTW photo booth, was a close second this year. Staff are grateful for the Tennessee AgrAbility team and the opportunity to share with attendees about this amazing program! Thank you to sponsors Farm Credit Mid-America and National AgrAbility for Tennessee farmer stipends to attend the 2024 National AgrAbility Training Workshop.

Eileen Legault, TNAP area specialist, was honored for being one of five recognized nationally with the AgrAbility Breaking New Ground Achievement Award. She has worked for the University of TN Extension since 2014 for a total of 15 years with UT TSU Extension/TN AgrAbility Project. Congratulations to Eileen on her well-deserved recognition, her dedication and hard work with TN AgrAbility.

Agricenter International is immersed in the heart of agriculture in Memphis on over 1000 acres. Thank you to Agricenter for hosting a great learning experience at the TSU Farmer Veteran Bootcamp. Attendees were able to network, visit tenants on Agricenter property, and learn from industry professionals like AgrAbility. Thank you to TSU, Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN, and TN AgrAbility for organizing the annual event.

UT TSU Extension Carter County, SAgE TN Network (Southern Ag Exchange Network/USDA's Farm and Ranch Assistance Network/stress assistance program), TN Farm Bureau Insurance-Elizabethton, and Carter County Cattleman's Association partnered to honor TN farm families with a "Farmer's Night Out" at Stateline Drive-in Movie Theater. It was a huge hit for local farm families. The movie was about stress and how to overcome challenges that many farmers and their families face. Farming is not easy and these producers are thankful for the programs offered by UT Extension. Giveaways were provided by the SAgE TN grant. Thank you to all the sponsors, who made this event a huge success. Quotes from attendees:

• "Each Community feels similar, conditions, problems, and stressful situation. We need to be more considerate of problems that come up with the people we are around daily & offer help & considerations to work to help solve each other's problems"
• "I learned the value of a strong community relationship"
• "No matter which type of farming we all struggle to make ends meet, stress is always there"
• "That we are in this together, that we are not the only ones with problems." "This is something that every farmer and non-farmer needs to see. They might be from down in the country, but they are dealing with the same trials and errors that we are for raising cattle and putting up hay. Does not matter what you farm, boys, it affects everyone. We all need to know that we are not alone in this farming deal."
  

Paulus P. Shelby, age 88, retired in July of 2001 as Extension professor of plant and soil science. Mr. Paulus served as specialist for cotton and small grains. He modified his zero-turn mower with assistance from his son Philip Shelby and a close friend who is a welder. Modifications were made to help Mr. Paulus mount/dismount his mower with little to no assistance. TNAP staff and Madison County ag agent Hunter Goodman made a farm visit for an evaluation, but Mr. Paulus and Philip already had a design in mind, and with the assistance of a welder, their vision became a reality. A "farmer/engineer hat" was worn for this project. (Photo credits to Beverly Shelby, Mr. Paulus daughter and leaning tree before the modifications.)

For the fourth year, the 113th General Assembly of Tennessee proclaimed March 11th #DisabilityAdvocacyDayTN! Staff honored the importance of advocacy in the lives of Tennesseans with disabilities and continue to work to improve access to equal opportunities across the state. Landmarks all around Tennessee were lit in blue for support and recognition of Tennessee Advocates and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A special thanks to the @Tennessee Disability Coalition for keeping the spotlight on advocacy in this community!

March is Extension month in Tennessee. To highlight Tennessee AgrAbility's impact with UT/TSU Extension and the STAR Center, Tennessee AgrAbility highlighted a new video clip on a local farmer/client. Jim Stapleton of Hawkins County faced mobility issues after an accident leading to several surgeries and including nerve damage. TN AgrAbility partnered with the TN Technology Access Program and the TN Department of Human Service/Division of Rehabilitation Services/Vocational Rehabilitation Program to make it possible for him to receive a lift for his tractor. Watch the video clip here.

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility Project