Ohio

Summer is county fair time, and Ohio AgrAbility Project (OAP) staff have been all over the state attending inclusive livestock shows and celebrating "Independence through Agriculture" for people with disabilities. Many of the county fairs in Ohio host ExtraOrdinary Livestock Shows where people with disabilities are partnered with 4-H or FFA mentors to show an animal at the fair. Exhibitors get the chance to participate in the Extraordinary class at the fair and care for and show an animal, and the mentors get to teach them how to show and also learn about disability advocacy. AgrAbility staff have been traveling to the shows, awarding medals to the exhibitors, and talking to the audience about AgrAbility. At the end of fair season, AgrAbility staff will lead a writing group to compile a best practices manual for show organizers.

Submitted by Laura Akgerman