4 minute read
AgrAbility
from Issue 38 of Ag Mag
by THEAGMAG
BY RACHEL JARMAN, Ohio AgrAbility MAKENZIE K.THOMAS, Texas AgrAbility
For many, farming is a way of life. A career many are born into and others are drawn to because of their love for the land, animals and independence of farm life. But what would you do if you were injured and are now living with a disabling condition, or if a lifetime of hard work has caught up with you? Who can help you continue farming if a disability or chronic condition is interfering with your productivity? AgrAbility can help.
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The mission of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. AgrAbility was started through the 1990 Farm bill and the first eight state projects were funded in 1991. Currently there are 20 USDA funded State projects and eight affiliate projects across the country.
Most that have heard of AgrAbility instantly think of a farmer they may know who has a lift to help them into a tractor, or a track wheelchair, with its all-terrain capabilities to get across farm fields. The machines and assistive technology are the most eye-catching and visible elements of AgrAbility services, but there is much more to AgrAbility than lifts and Track chairs. There is a side of AgrAbility you may not know about; the side that helps educate and connect farmers and farm families with resources and ideas of how to make 8
adaptations to their equipment and farms to reduce injuries and make farming safer for everyone. Many state AgrAbility projects can offer ideas for making equipment more adaptable to aching knees and sore backs by suggesting a different set of steps for the tractor or an air ride seat. Quick hitch attachments on wagons and extra handles for mounting and dismounting equipment are also lowcost suggestions that can keep farmers working. Please note that AgrAbility cannot purchase equipment or property or provide farmers with financial support. Staff members may make referrals to other organizations such as state vocational rehabilitations (VR) agencies, or local service or agricultural organizations, some of which may be able to provide financial assistance directly to farmers.
Meet Kane, a 19-year-old, fifth generation farmer who found himself wondering how he would take over the family farm after falling from his tree stand while hunting in November of 2019. His hospital therapy staff told him to contact Ohio AgrAbility to see what assistive technology was available. The staff from the Ohio AgrAbility Project connected him with the state vocational rehabilitation agency, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, who provided assistance in the form of an action track standing wheelchair, a Life Essentials telescoping truck bed lift, and power doors on his shop. This assistive technology will allow Kane to scout his fields independently and safely get him into any tractor, combine or other piece of farm equipment he needs to operate. When asked about how the equipment
Agriculture in Texas is vast and diverse, with farms and ranches covering 127 million acres. Nearly all Texas farms are family owned and operated and range from cattle to cotton to citrus production. With an estimated 50,000 farmers and ranchers living with a disabling condition, support for these rural communities is vital to the states agriculture sector. Military veterans also make up a large portion of the population, with many Texas veterans returning to rural areas with service-connected disabilities. AgrAbility in Texas focuses on addressing these issues by offering education and support not only to existing farmers and ranchers, but to military veterans wanting to start agriculture ventures. The project offers educational workshops and business planning assistance, along with equipment recommendations and tips to help mitigate injuries and return farmers to the field. Much like a good farm neighbor, covering such a large area would never be possible without partnerships and collaboration. Partnering with the Farmer Veteran Coalition, centers for independent living, and the state’s vocational rehabilitation agency allows AgrAbility to reach farmers and ranchers from the valley to the panhandle.
Meet Damon, a 20 year Army veteran and vegetable producer in central Texas. He came to AgrAbility after an educational business planning workshop held in the Fort Hood area. Suffering back, neck, and a traumatic brain injury from military service, Damon was struggling to keep up with the high demands of his market vegetable farm. Planting crops, harvesting, and accessing the tractor were becoming more difficult, and it was affecting his bottom line. After an onsite farm assessment, staff with Texas AgrAbility connected him with the state’s vocational rehabilitation agency which provided a polyplanter, extended tractor steps, air ride tractor seat, backup camera, vegetable harvesting aid, an automatic watering system, and laptop/tablet for organizing business records. Damon was also connected with the Farmer Veteran Coalition where he received fellowship funds to purchase a planter for his tractor. Damon has now expanded his market garden an additional 5 acres, started selling nursery plants, and offers educational workshops for other veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers on his farm. resources and online training information. If you live in a state that does not have a project, reach out to a neighboring state project. Many state projects have the ability to connect you to someone in your state who can help.
For more information about Texas AgrAbility, visit https://txagrability.tamu.edu/, or for
Products purchased for farmers are determined on a case-by-case basis, through collaboration with the funding source (state VR agency or other source), AgrAbility staff and the farmer.
