New Mexico

On Thursday, September 18th, NM AgrAbility and NM's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation teamed up to present NM AgrAbility's first "Day on the Farm!" at New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas. During the DOF, NM AgrAbility collaborated with NMSU researchers who discussed their ongoing studies of tomatoes, agrivoltaics, alfalfa, and green chili breeding and harvesting. NM AgrAbility staff discussed assistive technology that could be used at different crop sites on the center's 200 acres. Importantly, LL ASC Farm Manager Dennis Price showed NMDVR attendees farming equipment that may be found at NM farms, including tractors, swathers, balers, rakes, bale wagons, and more! Finally, adding the cherry on top to the inaugural Day on the Farm, NM AgrAbility client Tiffany Sanchez and her husband, JJ, were wonderful enough to show attendees Tiffany's Action Trackchair and her NMDVR-purchased LifeLyfts Truck Lift, which assists her in the family's horse, hay, and vegetable operations. Staff had a great time, and they appreciate everyone's help and participation! A big final thanks to WI AgrAbility for allowing staff to shadow their Day on the Farm in 2024!

From September 22 to 23, the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program, a partner of NM AgrAbility, hosted its annual assistive technology conference in Albuquerque. This year's conference, "Empower Yourself with Assistive Technology," included NM's own Mary Thelander Hill and UNM OT graduate student Morgan Lujan. Together, they presented "Supporting Food Growers with Assistive Technology." AT presented included videos and discussions of the PTO-Link, the Humanware Explore 8 portable magnifier, tractor platform lifts, temperature regulation tools, and many other tools. Conference attendees included NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation staff, occupational, speech, and physical therapists and assistants, educators, and assistive technology vendors and staff.

Submitted by Julie LaJeunesse