Texas

Cindy Kovar, program manager, presented "Empowering Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities through Assistive Technology: Building Inclusive Rural Communities" at the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 22. AFOP has been a leading advocate for migrant and seasonal farmworkers since 1971. The organization is united by the belief that training and education create pathways to greater stability and opportunity for the individuals who plant, tend, and harvest the crops that feed families across the United States.

With approximately 170 attendees, the conference provided an excellent platform to share valuable information about assistive technology and inclusive agricultural practices. It also opened the door to meaningful collaboration with another group dedicated to supporting the agricultural workforce.

Texas A&M AgrAbility, in partnership with the SARE PDP-funded accessible beekeeping training for ag professionals, successfully hosted an accessible beekeeping training in College Station on Thursday, May 21. The full-day session took place at the AgriLife Extension South Campus and brought together Extension agents, agricultural educators, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and service providers from across the region.

Participants spent the day exploring practical strategies to make beekeeping more accessible for farmers and ranchers of all abilities. The training blended classroom instruction with hands-on hive demonstrations and guided activities using the program's interactive Living Manual, a continuously updated resource designed to support real-world teaching and field application.

Training topics covered:

• Principles of accessible and adaptive beekeeping
• Common physical, sensory, cognitive, and environmental barriers in apiculture
• Practical hive adaptations and ergonomic techniques
• Technology and tools that support inspections and learning
• Safety considerations and risk-reduction strategies
• Integrating accessible practices into Extension and outreach programs
• Guided walkthrough of the Living Manual for continued learning

The event filled quickly, reflecting the growing interest in inclusive agricultural practices and the importance of ensuring that beekeeping remains accessible to all.

Submitted by Cindy Kovar