Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES (AGRABILITY)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
3D GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1028806
Grant No.
2022-41590-38121
Cumulative Award Amt.
$551,520.00
Proposal No.
2022-02385
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 30, 2022
Project End Date
Jul 29, 2025
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[LQ]- AgrAbility
Project Director
Bates, R.
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
EXT AG AGRIBUSINES
Non Technical Summary
Michigan State University Extension is partnering with Easterseals Michigan to provide the only statewide program for farmers with disabilities that delivers direct assistance, education, networking, and marketing to facilitate services to farmers with disabilities. Michigan has 79,494 farm producers and 77,475 farm workers across 47,641 farms, including migrant/seasonal farm workers. Estimates indicate 2,354 farm work related injuries occur annually, with 117 to incur permanent injury. The project will provide assistance and education to these farmers and will enlist the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Center for Rural Health, MSU Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, InterCare, Michigan Food & Farming Systems, Farmer Veteran Coalition and the MSU Extension network to achieve project goals so farmers with disabilities can continuetheir occupation and maintain their lifestyle. Direct assistance will be provided to individual farm operators, to include installation of on-farm assistive technologies with financial support through Michigan Rehabilitation Services and from donors, including unique devices designed and constructed through the MSU College of Engineering Capstone course. Education will be provided to farmers, medical providers, allied industry and government service providers regarding project services. Marketing will be done by direct mail to injured farmers, Extension outreach, booths at conferences, distribution of brochures at partner's locations and articles in partners' publications. Given expected service demand we will encourage partners, like Michigan Rehabilitation Services and potential corporate sponsors to provide resources to further support individuals in the farming community with impairments.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
80560993020100%
Knowledge Area
805 - Community Institutions, Health, and Social Services;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
Direct Assistance to farmers with on-farm injuries or have disabilities and are actively farming.Teach Farmers living with disabilities on options available to therm to over come their health challenges and education allied industries and service agencies how AgrAbility can support farmers with disabilities and allow them to continue working.Improve AgrAbility partnerships with stakeholders in agriculture as well as in government and the service industry.Market AgrAbility program to the public as well as the agriculture industry so to improve awarenessof the program to better inform farmers of AgrAbility resources avaialble to them.
Project Methods
Michigan has 156,969 farm producers and hired workers across 47,641 farms. Michigan AgrAbility continues to grow its client base through the network of partners that it works with along with the extensive marketing and engagement at agriculture related events. Based on data from the current program, it is expected that up to 40% of MichiganAgrAbility clients will be returning farmer clients.Michigan AgrAbility has multiple approaches for recruiting clients. Due to our current work with the MSU Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DOEM), the program identifies all persons entering Michigan hospitals due to an agriculture-related work injury. Our program contacts these persons directly with information about Michigan AgrAbility.This is enhanced by working with a broad array of collaborators that reach a wide spectrum of Michigan agriculture and include: Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition Michigan chapter, along with the statewide agricultural extension program within MSU Extension. Michigan AgrAbility is very visible with a display booth at an average of 19 annual industry trade shows and events and makes presentations at many these and other industry events to discuss the program. This is further augmented through Michigan AgrAbility web and social media presense.Michigan AgrAbility clients will be self-referred or be contacted directly by an ATP. Clients will be able to improve their work environment, through services provided by Michigan AgrAbility, so they can remain productive on the farm and stay in the workforce.Michigan AgrAbility will complete a mix of on-farm, large group, and virtual educational sessions to help farmers and agricultural professionals learn about their options to acquire and adopt assistive technologies. This will improve the understanding of how farmers, and those working with farmers with disabilities or chronic health conditions, understand the technologies and educational programs that are available to them and what can be done to implement assistive technologies on their farms. In addition, existing materials (brochures, factsheets, articles, videos, etc) through MSU Extension and Easterseals Michigan, regarding means to overcome chronic health conditions and disabilities will be showcased at extension and industry events and made available to partner organizations for their distribution to persons in need.Networking efforts of Michigan AgrAbility will continue to expand the reach of the project. Partners and collaborators with Michigan AgrAbility will be asked to help further promote the program through their media communications and at events that they sponsor, annually. In addition, in-kind donations, sponsorships and financial support will be requested to further support the work of the program.Outreach efforts will provide indirect educational messages (e.g. Public Service Announcements) and shared marketing content with partners will increase awareness of Michigan AgrAbility's purpose, services, and events. This will sustain and grow current program awareness and provide for further shared marketing opportunities.

Progress 07/30/23 to 07/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agricultural workers impacted by disabilities. Farm family members, caregivers, and others impacted by disabilities. Professionals serving the aforementioned audiences. Special subcategories include Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers, veterans with disabilities interested in agriculture, and Plain Clothes communities. Changes/Problems:Several of Michigan AgrAbility's partners have undergone significant changes over the past year. From leadership changes at the state level in Farm Bureau to a complete restructuring of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, now Veterans in Agriculture Network housed within MIFFS, opportunities to connect with these organizations have been limited. Given these challenges, Michigan AgrAbility has remained resilient and found other opportunities to connect with local Farm Bureau groups, particularly in Kent County and Northwest Lower Michigan, and started to build other partnerships with other organizations filling similar roles. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ned Stoller presented "What Tools are in your AgrAbility Truck?" in November as part of the ongoing virtual session follow-up from the National Training Workshop. Mr. Stoller also participated in the 2024 National Training Workshop in Atlanta in March 2024. He helped present five sessions on assistive technologies including Worksite Assessment, Secondary injury, and AT Selection; Accessible Beekeeping: Improving Quality of Life Through Therapy and Assistive Technology; Assistive Technology for Hitching Equipment; Creating Reliable Plans for DIY Assistive Technology; and SRAP Panel Discussion on Taking the RESNA AT Fundamentals Course. Extension Educator Samantha Wolfe went to the NTW as an attendee and attended new NAP staff training as well as a farm tour to an indoor mushroom farm operation, a Dirt Dog manufacturing facility, and a small farm belonging to an AgrAbility client with sheep and other livestock. A Michigan farmer client and his caregiver also attended the NTW as clients of AgrAbility with support from The Andersons INC. They also attended the farm tours with Ms. Wolfe. In July 2024, the Michigan AgrAbility team, in collaboration with the National AgrAbility Project, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, and RESNA (the Rehab Engineering Society of North America) coordinated an Assistive Technology in Agriculture Regional Training Workshop opportunity in Ann Arbor. The two-and-a-half-day workshop consisted of content about chronic and progressive conditions that lead to disability, disability language, assistive technology, caregiver buy-in, and more, all in an agricultural context. The event included a farm visit assessment and dinner on the farm of a client local to the area. Forty-four attendees traveled from eleven states, including Washington, Idaho, Maine, and others, as well as Saipan. Participants were able to earn up to 10 ATP CEUs from RESNA for their participation in the event, which the National program recorded to edit and include as an online video resource for new AgrAbility staff. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Public Outreach Michigan AgrAbility has a website (http://www.michiganagrability.org/), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MichiganAgrAbility/), and videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAvhxXy6BHvsl5KSLVZNQ). The website received 6,177 views throughout 2023, and from January 1 to June 11, 2024, received an additional 2,950 views. Staff also posted three new blogs to the website, received 25 inquiries from the Contact form, and 25 new email subscribers. Michigan AgrAbility has 2,100 Likes and 2,245 Followers on Facebook (40% male, 60% female), which has reached 13,900 people to date in 2024 and reached 14,800 people in 2023. Through the 2023 Virtual State Fair, three posts reached a total of 3,610 people. The YouTube channel has 285 subscribers with 75 videos and one short, making for more than 112,600 views in total. Staff posted one video last year. It received 25 new views. The Michigan AgrAbility News year-end mailing was delivered to 1,698 recipients across the state. Presentations/Display Booths Michigan AgrAbility conducted two presentations, had six display booths, and other outreach events between July 2023 and June 2024. Mr. Stoller attended the HiveLife Conference in Sevierville TN, and Ms. Berens attended Frank's Crop Watch in Merrill, the Pork Symposium in Lansing, and Michigan Sheep Producers Association's Shepherd's Weekend in Lansing. AgrAbility sponsored a session and had a table at Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Grand Rapids. Extension Educator Samantha Wolfe presented at the Great Lakes Crop Summit in Mt. Pleasant. The Michigan AgrAbility Project hosted display booths at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in Mt. Pleasant, MIFFS Small Farms Conference in Kalamazoo, Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District Career Tech Center career fair, Outreach Worker Training at the Ottawa County Health Department in Holland, and a health outreach event at Campo Manzana in Conklin, with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The team is also working on revitalizing print materials in both Spanish and English. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Future plans by summary of activity by objective, year of grant and description of activity are outlined below: • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Reach 150 clients per year (new and returning). • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Conduct 60 on-farm site evaluations each year. • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (3rd quarter) Work with engineering students on Capstone projects for development of assistive technologies. • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Monthly meetings to discuss AgrAbility client cases. • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Referral of clients to MRS for purchasing assistive technology, additional services, set-up or training on devices or equipment. • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Collect case closing evaluation data (new clients), annual client survey (returning clients), collect pre- and post- Quality of Life Survey and demographics from new clients. • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Monthly activity summarized and provided to NAP. • Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Monthly injury summary, annual injury and occupational death reports, other reports produced. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Presentations and displays made on-farm, with large groups such as at industry trade shows, and via virtual outreach with a registration process to collect client contact information and to gain referrals to Michigan AgrAbility. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Collect evaluation feedback of presentations made by Michigan AgrAbility at events from participants to appraise efficacy. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Educational outreach evaluation data is summarized and reported annually to Michigan AgrAbility team and partners. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Michigan AgrAbility contacts farmers injured in agriculture work who are seen at a Michigan hospital to send them information on Michigan AgrAbility. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Collect client contact information at education events. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Produce animal injury reports and Hazard Alerts; Create new curriculum/educational materials to teach industry how to reduce incidences of injury or death. • Education, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Michigan AgrAbility contacts MDHHS with updated changes to materials to County Health Departments. • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Meet quarterly and annually as project team • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Annual meeting with Michigan AgrAbility partners including input from a farmer panel of past clients. • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Partners promote Michigan AgrAbility services and materials through shared marketing and promotion. • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Media relations • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Document in-kind donations and sponsorships to Michigan AgrAbility; produce annual reports to partners, NAP, USDA NIFA. • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Write and distribute news stories for the public about the contributions of Michigan AgrAbility partners. • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Measure economic value of services rendered to AgrAbility and its clients (donations, return on investment, public value) • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Discuss partnership network at quarterly meetings to identify limitations and/or opportunities in achieving greater inclusion of diverse farmers. • Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (2nd quarter) Attend annual AgrAbility National Training meeting. • Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Provide content for websites and social media accounts. • Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (2nd quarter) Michigan AgrAbility News (4 times a year). • Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (1st and 3rd quarter) Michigan AgrAbility e-newsletter (8 times a year). • Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Incorporate Michigan AgrAbility website and social media content into MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and MSU Extension websites. In addition the Michigan AgrAbility project team will complete an strategic planning exercise with AgrAbility partners to help set the course for the future of the AgrAbility program in Michigan.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? From July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, Mr. Stoller and Ms. Garza assisted 212 farm clients with disabilities; 112 of these were new. They closed 11 cases. Mr. Stoller conducted 89 farm site evaluation visits and Ms. Garza trained 65 migrant workers. Staff referred 17 farmers to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) and Independent Living Center. MRS or Easterseals MORC provided or donated assistive technology to 47 farmers. Staff responded to about 48 calls on the Michigan AgrAbility toll-free line. In addition, there were about 36 new inquiries directly to Mr. Stoller on his cell phone or to Ms. Berens or Ms. Garza through email or the Facebook messenger, and three inquiries to Extension Educator Samantha Wolfe via email and phone. Ms. Andrea Garza, a certified occupational therapy assistant with Michigan AgrAbility, completed 65 joint pain and arthritis assessments with Hispanic migrant and seasonal workers between June 2023 and June 2024. The assessments consisted of checking the range of motion of joints of each worker, educating them on arthritis, ergonomics, hot/cold therapy, and appropriate exercises and stretches for each person's context. She also provided workers with a folder that included written information, in Spanish, that complements their conversations and provided them with a piece of low-tech assistive technology. She followed up with everyone via phone and conducted a more in-depth evaluation whenever further assistance was necessary. Also, Ms. Garza provided an on-site health fair at a farmworker camp in West Michigan's fruit ridge where Ms. Garza conducted 11 evaluations. Michigan AgrAbility has solicited statewide and local funding sources to assist impaired farmers. Michigan State University Alpha Gamma Rho, Rau chapter, donated $37,300, through their annual Beef Preview, which is the largest philanthropic event in MSU's Greek life, and is the largest individual financial supporter of AgrAbility within the state. Michigan AgrAbility also received $7,500 from the Potgeter Family Fund, $3,000 from The Andersons Foundation, $500 from Kent County Farm Bureau, and other/miscellaneous donation and memorials in the amount of $1,515 through Easterseals MORC. Michigan Rehabilitation Services provided assistive technologies in the amount of $392,056 in 2023, and $285,000 to date in 2024.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Developing Accessible Apiaries, June 2023
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Farming Made Accessible with Michigan AgrAbility, EastersealsMorc Blog
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Meet Kevin Klink EastersealsMorc Blog
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Continuing a Family Legacy for the Future EastersealsMorc Blog
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: AgrAbility program aids aging, disabled farmers in Benzie, Manistee counties, Benzie County Record Patriot Manistee News Advocate
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Time to Evaluate Processes, Traverse City Record Eagle
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: MSU Extension hires agricultural and occupational health educator Michigan State University Extension News article
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Michigan AgrAbility 2023 Updates Michigan State University Extension News article
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Promoting health and productivity through ergonomic practices for farming and gardening, Michigan State University Extension News article
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Michigan AgrAbility to host regional workshop, Michigan State University News Article
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: AgrAbility mechanical engineering capstone project designs portable swarm trap lifter for veteran beekeeper, Michigan State University Extension News Article
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: The Michigan AgrAbility tag under the Easterseals MORC MailChimp account has 245 subscribers and sent nine emails to this audience between July 2023 and June 2024.


Progress 07/30/22 to 07/29/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agricultural workers impacted by disabilities. Farm family members, caregivers, and other impacted by disabilities. Professionals serving the aforementioned audiences. Special subcategories include Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers and veterans with disabilities interested in agriculture. Changes/Problems:An important component to the project is hiring an Extension Educator to develop more broad-based education and marketing of the AgrAbility program and to provide further support for on-farm technical assistance. The recruitment for this position has been on-going for nearly 10 months. The search for this position has been stymied due to difficulties in securing qualified pools of candidates to interview. The marketing for this position has had to be re-opened three times and extensive marketing and recruiting efforts have occurred to secure an applicant pool of qualified candidates. A more qualified pool of candidates has been secured and interviews are underway with final interviews occurring in July, 2023. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility ATP, participated in the 2023 AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop (VNTW) in Spokane, WA in March 2023. Mr. Stoller did presentations on Assistive Technology Lessons from Ethiopia, What Items to Carry Along to Farmsite Assessments, Accessible Apiaries, and How to Conduct an Ag AT Worksite Assessment and attended the PI Meeting with USDA. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Public Outreach Michigan AgrAbility has a website (http://www.michiganagrability.org/), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MichiganAgrAbility/), a Pinterest account (https://www.pinterest.com/MichAgrAbility/) and videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAvhxXy6BHvsl5KSLVZNQ). Michigan AgrAbility has 1,644 Facebook likes and 188 following; 18 boards/categories, 1,455 pins, 143 followers on Pinterest and 110,340 views on YouTube for 74 videos; with six new videos this year with 857 views. There was an end of the year emailing to 1,742 recipients: Michigan AgrAbility News. Michigan FarmNews The Michigan Farm News is published 20 times per year and mailed to the 48,000 active farmers who are members of Michigan Farm Bureau and 2,000 agricultural related organizations. An electronic version is posted as well to 15,000 users. The Michigan Farm News has committed to continuing this valuable in-kind support. Presentations/Display Booths Michigan AgrAbility made 10 presentations, had nine display booths and attended 18 conferences/trade shows/meetings: UP State Fair, Kent County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Expo, Beef Preview Show, Michigan Beekeepers Association Conference, National AgrAbility Training Workshop, Jiffy Mix Meeting, Heroes to Hives Training Session, HiveLife Conference, Ag-Jobs-For-All Job Fair at Michigan Works, Frank's Crop Watch, Michigan Shepherd Weekend, Fort Wayne Farm Show, FVC Annual Meeting, Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, Michigan Pork Symposium, Farmer Resource Meeting, and Ag Expo Safety Day. There were 15,014 attendees and a total of 967 brochures and 119 business cards were distributed. News Media about Michigan AgrAbility Public Relations Material submitted to Bradley Rein and Victoria Finkenstadt, USDA: 1) 2022 AgrAbility Year In Review Newsletter; 2) MSU's AGR donates $15,000 to AgrAbility (Michigan Farm News, 5/3/2023). E-Notes submitted to Charles Baldwin (National AgrAbility Program (NAP) E-Note Coordinator, Purdue University): Eight Michigan E-Notes: September 2022, October 2022, November 2022, December 2022, February 2023, March 2023, April 2023, and May 2023. Email Listing Michigan AgrAbility maintained and expanded an email list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. There are 1,688 entities on the list. Beginning Farmers Michigan AgrAbility worked with the Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS). People with disabilities who are interested in farming were referred to MIFFS for guidance on starting a farm business. Veterans were also referred to MIFFS as they also have a program to serve veterans working in agriculture.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Future plans by summary of activity by objective, year of grant and description of activity are outlined below: Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Reach 150 clients per year (new and returning). Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Conduct 60 on-farm site evaluations each year. Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (3rd quarter) Work with engineering students on Capstone projects for development of assistive technologies. Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Monthly meetings to discuss AgrAbility client cases. Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Referral of clients to MRS for purchasing assistive technology, additional services, set-up or training on devices or equipment. Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Collect case closing evaluation data (new clients), annual client survey (returning clients), collect pre- and post- Quality of Life Survey and demographics from new clients. Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Monthly activity summarized and provided to NAP. Direct Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Monthly injury summary, annual injury and occupational death reports, other reports produced. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Presentations and displays made on-farm, with large groups such as at industry trade shows, and via virtual outreach with a registration process to collect client contact information and to gain referrals to Michigan AgrAbility. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Collect evaluation feedback of presentations made by Michigan AgrAbility at events from participants to appraise efficacy. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Educational outreach evaluation data is summarized and reported annually to Michigan AgrAbility team and partners. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Michigan AgrAbility contacts farmers injured in agriculture work who are seen at a Michigan hospital to send them information on Michigan AgrAbility. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Collect client contact information at education events. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Produce animal injury reports and Hazard Alerts; Create new curriculum/educational materials to teach industry how to reduce incidences of injury or death. Education, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Michigan AgrAbility contacts MDHHS with updated changes to materials to County Health Departments. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Meet quarterly and annually as project team Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Annual meeting with Michigan AgrAbility partners including input from a farmer panel of past clients. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Partners promote Michigan AgrAbility services and materials through shared marketing and promotion. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Media relations. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Document in-kind donations and sponsorships to Michigan AgrAbility; produce annual reports to partners, NAP, USDA NIFA. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Write and distribute news stories for the public about the contributions of Michigan AgrAbility partners. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (4th quarter) Measure economic value of services rendered to AgrAbility and its clients (donations, return on investment, public value) Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Discuss partnership network at quarterly meetings to identify limitations and/or opportunities in achieving greater inclusion of diverse farmers. Networking, years 1,2,3,4 (2nd quarter) Attend annual AgrAbility National Training meeting. Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Provide content for websites and social media accounts. Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (2nd quarter) Michigan AgrAbility News (4 times a year). Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (1st and 3rd quarter) Michigan AgrAbility e-newsletter (8 times a year). Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 (each quarter) Incorporate Michigan AgrAbility website and social media content into MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and MSU Extension websites.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Agricultural Injury Data Michigan AgrAbility has been gathering agriculture specific work related injury data from Michigan hospitals, contacted injured farmers, followed up with education and assistance, and tailored educational efforts according to the injuries identified. All 134 acute care hospitals in Michigan were informed that beginning January 1, 2015 they were required to report all injuries and illnesses related to farming that required hospitalization or an emergency department visit. We have compiled the third report on occupational farm-related injuries in Michigan: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Third Report (January 2020-December 2021)" available at https://oem.msu.edu/images/annual_reports/2020/2020-2021_Farm_Report.pdf Since January 2022, we have reviewed 498 medical records and confirmed 345 farm-related work-related injuries hospitalized or treated in an emergency room department. Since January 2022 to date, in order to inform more injured farmers about the AgrAbility services, a letter about AgrAbility and the AgrAbility brochure have been mailed to forty individuals with farm-related work-related injuries. Maintain Relationships and Work with AgrAbility Champions around theState Michigan AgrAbility has solicited local funding sources to assist impaired farmers; Michigan State University Alpha Gamma Rho, Rau chapter donated $15,000, EOTECH and Greenstone Farm Credit Services donated $10,000. Approximately $255,000 in assistive technology was provided to farmers by Michigan Rehabilitative Services in 2022. There are 1,655 organizations and individuals that Michigan AgrAbility networks with and reaches out to in Michigan with an annual newsletter. MSU Heroes toHives Ned Stoller, the Michigan AgrAbility ATP, did a beekeeping assistive technology evaluation training onsite with the leaders of Southeast Michigan Beekeeping Association on February 2, 2023, and another in person evaluation training for Kalamazoo Beekeeping Club on April 13, 2023, and training presentation on setting up an accessible apiary at the Michigan Beekeeping Association annual meeting on March 11, 2023. A series of three beekeeping assistive technology community of interest calls have been conducted during the fall and winter of 2022/2023. Network with InterCare to Market to Migrant Workers Michigan AgrAbility networked with InterCare, a program that provides health care to migrant farm worker families throughout Michigan, to do outreach to health care providers employed by InterCare as well as directly to the farm workers they provide services to. Andrea Garza, Michigan AgrAbility certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA), compiled folders to be handed out to Hispanic agricultural workers on the range of services provided by Michigan AgrAbility. These included information on osteoarthritis, how to protect your joints/ergonomic tips in the workplace, exercise sheets, arthritis Spanish booklet, Michigan AgrAbility services and a business card. Ms. Garza completed nine joint pain and arthritis assessments with Hispanic migrant and seasonal workers between October 2022 and May 2023 at four Michigan farms. The assessments consisted of checking range of motion of joints of each worker, educating workers on arthritis, ergonomics, hot/cold therapy, and excerices and stretches. Workers were given a folder with information on what they had been verbally educated on. Workers were also given a piece of low AT for participating in the assessments. Follow up was done with all workers via phone call. if further assistance was needed, a more in depth evaluation was completed. Michigan Food & FarmingSystems Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) no longer operates an incubator farm, but they continue to support beginning farmers. In place of the MIFFS demonstration farm, Doug Verhoeven from Holland, Michigan has offered his farm as an assistive technology demonstration site for farmers to come visit by appointment. He has been farming with a spinal cord injury for over 40 years and regularly uses assistive technology. His farm is already open to the public since he operates Fulfilling Life Ministries from his farm office, helping children with disabilities learn to do outdoor activities. Assistive technologies available for demonstration are Doug's devices plus the items provided by Michigan AgrAbility ATP Ned Stoller. Doug has recently received a tractor with cab for planting crops without exposure to infection-causing dust. It came equipped with electro-hydraulic valves. AgrAbility helped him modify the controls so he can raise and lower his corn planter without releasing the tractor hand control levers. This assistive technology piece improves his efficiency while he works planting corn and the tool is also available for demonstration at Doug's farm. Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to Market toVeterans Bev Berens, Michigan AgrAbility Case Manager, is on the advisory board for the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) - Chapter, which was formed in November 2015. The relationship with the Farmer Veteran Coalition has allowed Michigan AgrAbility to connect with leadership in other organizations working with veterans such as Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), MSU Vets to Ag Program and Heroes to Hives, National FVC, Homegrown by Heroes, MSU Extension Veterans Resources, Easterseals MORCVeterans Resources. As proposed by Michigan AgrAbility, Michigan Farm Bureau approved language updates in support of veterans in their Agricultural Vocational Rehabilitation policy.In early 2023, MI FVC held a business symposium and workshop in northern Michigan. Assistance Since September 1, 2022, Ned Stoller, ATP, and Andrea Garza, COTA, assisted 174 farm clients with disabilities; 71 were new. 72 cases were closed. Mr. Stoller conducted 68 farm site evaluation visits and Ms. Garza trained 33 migrant workers. 23 farmers were referred to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) and Independent Living Center. 51 farmers had assistive technology purchased by MRS or donated to them via Easterseals MORC. In 2022, the value of the assistive devices provided to farmers was approximately $255,000. We responded to about 45 calls on the Michigan AgrAbility toll-free line. In addition, there were about 35 new inquiries directly to Mr. Stoller on his cell phone or to Ms. Berens or Ms. Garza through email or the Facebook messenger. Collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health The Michigan Center for Rural Health has distributed AgrAbility materials to their statewide members.?

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Third Report (January 2020 - December 2021" available at www.oem.msu.edu