The Colorado AgrAbility team, including Julie Elliott (western region behavioral health specialist), Natalie Bachmeier (AgrAbility coordinator), and Janell Pisegna (professor, CSU Occupational Therapy Department, and AgrAbility faculty), has been awarded a mini-grant to develop and implement an "Agriculture Workforce Exploration and Training Program" tailored for young adults with disabilities.
AgriProspects, supported by the Extension Foundation through a USDA-NIFA federal grant, aims to enhance access to education and skill-building opportunities for rural and underserved populations. The pilot program will be launched in Mesa County at CSU's Western Campus in collaboration with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
To ensure the curriculum aligns with community needs, the team will host listening sessions in January and February with producers, educators, and young adults. For questions or feedback, please contact Julie Elliott, project PI, at julie.elliott@colostate.edu.
Colorado AgrAbility team members Chad Reznicek, Julie Elliott, and Clinton Wilson have been appointed as leaders of the Agricultural Behavioral Health Workgroup. Established by Senate Bill 55, which passed in 2024, this workgroup is tasked with shaping agricultural and rural behavioral health programs within Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration.
The workgroup will work alongside a dedicated liaison connecting the Behavioral Health Administration, Colorado Department of Agriculture, behavioral health providers, rural community leaders, agricultural communities, and nonprofit organizations. The group's efforts aim to provide meaningful support to farmers, ranchers, and their families.
For more information about this initiative, visit Colorado Sun's coverage.
Additionally, seven Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) assessments were completed. In January 2025, one completed DVR Report highlighted an individual who is new to the agricultural field with aspirations to complete a hydroponic greenhouse operation. AgrAbility staff provided this client with educational resources for greenhouse production, information about local farmer's markets, and more to help jump start his agricultural business. Given the client's significant limitations, these recommendations will serve as a foundation to support their agricultural-related endeavors.
Submitted by Natalie Bachmeier