Field Notes E-Newsletter | Spring 2022 News & Resources for Farmers with a Disability or Long-Term Health Condition AgrAbility PA assists farmers and agricultural workers with a disability or long-term health condition by providing direct services and support they need to live independently and to continue working in or return to production agricultural.AgrAbilityPA.org![]() Lights, Camera, Action!AgrAbility PA farmers share their stories ![]() AgrAbility PA is capturing farmer success stories this spring — sharing the trials and tribulations in overcoming a disability or health condition to continue working in agriculture. Thanks to ProArts Media for working with us! AgrAbility PA caught up with Dennis and Lori Hunsberger at their farm in Middleburg. Dennis underwent a double amputation due to complications from bacterial meningitis in 2016 and Lori has battled a chronic illness for many years. Together, they have continued to farm 500+ acres and raise over a 100,000 chickens. The key to their success: Dennis says, “It is all about D-E-T-E-R-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N!” Listen to Dennis and Lori’s story as captured by NPR’s WHYY radio station broadcasted in Philadelphia & Wilmington. Stay tuned for the AgrAbility PA farmer videos — COMING SUMMER 2022! Listen: Staying Mobile to Keep Farming ![]() 2022 PA Farmer Veteran Network Conference Toolkit
AgrAbility PA exhibited at the PA Farmer Veteran Network’s annual conference in April. It was a great opportunity to connect with Veterans and Veteran-centric organizations involved in agriculture. The conference toolkit is a great resource!
Read more
http://www.troopstotractors.org ![]() AgrAbility Regional Workshop in Columbus, OH: June 28-30
Ohio AgrAbility is hosting a 3-day workshop focusing on urban agriculture, working with vocational rehabilitation, prescription medication safety, assistive technology in agriculture, farming with a developmental disability, & more. Register now!
Read more
goodwillofthefingerlakes.re... Assistive Technology Spotlight:Agricultural Mobility Equipment & Modifications ![]() Take Your Life Back with LifeLyfts by Life Essentials
Life Essentials is often an ESSENTIAL part of assisting a farmer with a disability or health condition. They offer a variety of mobility aids to help at work, home, or recreationally: pilot & platform lifts, hand controls, ramps, scooters, & more.
Read more
http://lifelyfts.com May is Mental Health Awareness Month Farming can be a life full of accomplishment and challenges. Many aspects of the job are beyond a farmer’s control — market prices, regulations, drought, and disease outbreak, and more. Combined with long hours and financial pressures, farmers can experience high levels of stress. ![]() Thanks to AgrAbility Project Manager Linda Fetzer who recently co-presented several sessions of the workshop, “Communicating with Farmers Under Stress,“ to agricultural service providers in Pennsylvania. The workshops were funded by the PA Department of Agriculture’s USDA-NIFA state-FRSAN grant and were a partnership with the Center for Dairy Excellence.Additional Resources: · Help Lines in Pennsylvania (by county) · National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 · 1-800-FARM-AID or online · Center for Dairy Excellence · National AgrAbility Project AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians Project814-867-5288agrability@psu.edu AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians Project is supported under USDA/NIFA Special Projects 2021-41590-34811 in collaboration with Penn State Extension. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and USDA. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UCP Central PA assures equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of age, sex, race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, handicap, sexual preference, life style, political belief, union membership, limited English proficiency, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law. AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a statewide partnership between Penn State Extension and UCP Central PA. AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a statewide partnership between Penn State Extension and UCP Central PA. This content is available in alternative media on request. ![]() |
Berks - Lancaster - Lebanon LINK Service Area 