Indiana

Indiana AgrAbility held their spring advisory team meeting June 26. Seven advisors, six staff, two consultants, two partners, and three guests were in attendance, including Mr. Jerry Alexander, the East Central Indiana regional director for Senator Mike Braun.

Business items included reports on Indiana veterans activities, work being done by the IN AgrAbility partners, Easterseals Crossroads, client visits, event participations, Bridging Horizons Contest, Old Order/Amish outreach, AgVets Project, media outreach, and an update on the National AgrAbility Project work. Following the reports, Mark Carter, and advisor with Purdue Extension, shared some ideas on improving IN AgrAbility's outreach through short video clips. And, prior to closing, a short challenge was given to the team to come up with auction items for the 2025 NTW to benefit farmers/ranchers with disabilities, and to help find funding for stipends to help enable these farmers/ranchers/caregivers to attend the NTW.

It was a lively meeting with many good ideas shared and great participation by everyone there.

Submitted by Chuck Baldwin

The Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest provides a community-oriented service experience that gives groups the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained and make a positive impact by helping community members overcome physical barriers.

Congratulations to the East Central FFA Chapter which will receive a $500 cash prize (from non-AgrAbility funds) and a certificate for constructing four accessible raised garden beds for the Southeast Indiana Community Gardens. The raised garden beds will be placed at assisted living centers, a community mental health center, Central Elementary School, Batesville Intermediate School, and the YES Home for abused, neglected, and abandoned youth. The FFA chapter will be applying for additional grants to continue construction of accessible, raised garden beds for distribution to organizations in the county.

Congratulations to the Veterans IN Farming who will receive a $500 cash prize (from non-AgrAbility funds) and a certificate for constructing 10 accessible, raised garden beds at its demonstration farm, Jack's Farm, in Anderson, IN. These garden beds are specifically designed to accommodate veterans with physical limitations and mobility constraints. The hands-on learning environment will provide opportunities for veterans and their family members who come to the demonstration farm for classes and veteran events.

Submitted by Steve Swain

Indiana AgrAbility veteran outreach is partnering with two nonprofits (At Ease Orchard and Veterans IN Farming) to provide a national webinar series on beginning farming/ranching tailored to a veteran audience. The summer lunchtime webinar series is packed with insightful programming designed to help enhance farming practices and expand market reach. Anyone is welcome to attend any of the webinars.

• "Getting Your Farm Products into Indiana Public Schools": Discover the steps and requirements for supplying fresh, local produce to Indiana's public school system. Learn about the benefits, challenges, and success stories from fellow farmers who have successfully navigated this process.
• "NRCS Conservation Programs": Gain a comprehensive understanding of the various conservation programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Learn how to access these resources to enhance the sustainability and productivity of your farm.

And more! Stay tuned for additional topics that will provide the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in today's agricultural landscape.

How to Participate:

• Platform: Webinars are hosted on Zoom, making it easy to join from the comfort of home or farm.
• Preregistration: To ensure access to these valuable sessions, please preregister. Registrants will receive an email with the link to join the meetings.
• Cost: These webinars are free of charge, providing high-quality educational content at no cost.
• Accessibility: Webinars include captions to ensure accessibility for all participants.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts and fellow farmers, gain new insights, and improve farming operations. Sign up today and make the most of lunchtime this summer!

Hosted by Kate Bowen, an AgrAbility client and farmer.

For more information and to register, visit https://vetsinfarming.wildapricot.org/.

Submitted by Kate Graves and Joe Ricker