This material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), U.S. Department of Agriculture under special project number and the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation research under special project number H133B

How are we keeping farmers and rural individuals healthy and safe?

Rural Safety, Health, and “You”  To help identify and organize resources in your community  To promote career independence  To reach rural farm families  To create an awareness  To educate others  To invest and enhance our rural communities  To network with private and non-profit organizations

Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families Biological Engineering Extension Small Farm Family Program, Lincoln University Services for Independent Living

Why AgrAbility Is Needed? Farming/ranching is one of the nation’s most hazardous occupations. Nationwide, approximately 288,000 agricultural workers between the ages of 15 & 79 have a disability that affects their ability to perform one or more essential tasks. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1999)

AgrAbility is administered by USDA- Cooperative State Research, Education & Extension Service.

Congress authorized the AgrAbility Program in the 1990 Farm Bill It was re-authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill.

Currently, USDA-CSREES funds one National AgrAbility Project and 24 State/Regional AgrAbility Projects.

Funding Projects are funded through a competitive grant process. Grants are awarded on a 4-year cycle. Projects must be partnerships between an 1862 &/or 1890 land-grant university extension service & a nonprofit disability service provision organization.

AgrAbility Client Demographics Spouses 5.3% Migrant or Seasonal Workers 2.3% Other 10.5% Owners, Operators 79.2% Female 15% Male 85%

Causes of AgrAbility Client Disabilities,

Types of AgrAbility Client Disabilities,

AgrAbility Services Information & referral Training for rural professionals On-site technical assistance Education on secondary injury prevention Peer support networks

On-site Assessments & Technical Assistance Determine the individual’s levels of ability and goals Worksite Home Tools, equipment & machinery

Information Job Restructuring Assistive Technology Commercially available Potential modifications Alternative Enterprises

Referral Funding sources Support services

Training for Rural Professionals Vocational rehabilitation counselors Community & health care professionals Extension specialists Agricultural related groups

AgrAbility Peer Support Network Activities Connect people with similar disabilities. Provide forums for information & idea exchange. Connect caregivers.

AgrAbility Staff & Clients Work Together Discuss options Set goals Develop plans to meet goals Implement plans Meet goals Evaluate outcomes

Successful Outcomes for AgrAbility Clients Increased ability to perform current or new work tasks. Decreased potential for acquiring a secondary injury. Increased independence at home and in the community.

Contacts Willard Downs, Ph.D. Director Agricultural Engineering Extension Karen Funkenbusch, MA Program Director Agricultural Engineering Extension K.B. Paul, Ph.D. Director Small Farm Family Program Cooperative Extension at Lincoln University Brad Marsh, ATP Assistive Technology Coordinator Services for Independent Living

Resources  Missouri AgrAbility Project:  Local University Outreach and Extension Center  University of Missouri-Columbia  Breaking New Ground Resource Center at Purdue University  Local Hospital  Local Department of Health  Local Center for Independent Living  Local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Summary Farmers and ranchers are “high risk” group Specialized care may be hard to find, but there are some positive local changes Extension and community based resources are uniquely positioned to help Farmers must be encouraged to try new approaches Farmers must be encouraged to become better self-mangers