Ohio

Ohio AgrAbility staff spent August assisting farmers, visiting inclusive livestock shows at county fairs, and hosting farmers and colleagues for a Peer-to-Peer Lunch and Learn in beautiful southwest Ohio. One of the highlights of the peer meeting was when a client farmer, Tom, spoke about the impact an auto-steer system installed in his tractor has made on his farming. Tom lost sight in his right eye and has limited vision in his left eye due to a firewood cutting accident. While planting, tilling, and fertilizing, Tom was having difficulty seeing the row markers, and was overplanting some rows and missing others. The auto steer-system has allowed him to tend his crops efficiently and safely, has reduced the loss of operating capital, and has kept him farming. His personal story resonated with all of the farmers and ag educators in the room and demonstrated the importance of Ohio AgrAbility to Ohio farmers.

OAP hosted 40+ farmers and family members, Extension educators, and colleagues at Hueston Woods State Park Lodge in beautiful southwest Ohio. Everyone enjoyed networking, seeing old friends and making new connections, and hearing about Ohio AgrAbility's outreach and educational initiatives in 2025. Tickets for Farm Science Review were distributed to farmers, and they heard about new assistive technology and modifications that are being used to assist Ohio farmers.

Submitted by Laura Akgerman