Progress 04/01/05 to 03/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Missouri's outputs were accomplished through statewide activities, services, and products. The University of Missouri Extension and their collaborating partners from SIL, MERIL, FSA, and the MO DVR facilitated AgrAbility output efforts by specifically targeting new agricultural families affected by disabilities. Outreach efforts were combined with educating case managers, extension specialists, educational assistants, occupational and physical students, independent living specialists, service providers, or rural volunteers committed to assisting those families. Statewide, AgrAbility staff from the University of Missouri Extension collaborated with SIL and MERIL to provide up to two hundred and sixty on-the-farm assessments to enhance the quality of life of farmers with disabilities and their family members by focusing on their return to an agricultural related profession. Extension specialists were on hand to provide assistance by suggesting modifications that included eqipment modifications, lifts and hand controls for tractors, improvements for step modifications, accessibility improvements for farm structures, and other assistive technologies to improve producers' productivity. Approximately 13,100 farmers with disabilities were also provided information or referral assistance to promote their return to farming or a farm related profession, to the community, and to assistance to access independent living services. Two hundred and fifty awareness trade shows; state, regional, county, or national health fairs; state and county youth events; county, regional, state, or national disability, health, safety, or wellness conferences; and assistive technology venues were attended. Over two hundred and forty eight educational and one hundred twenty technical AgrAbility program presentations were made; sixty electronic educational or technical tips sheets were produced; one programmatic webpage, http://www.fsb.missouri.edu/agrability/ was maintained; and hundreds of recommendations on farm, home, equipment, or work site modifications that ensure safety, ease of use, comfort, and efficiency were provided. Missouri's statewide awareness campaigns included sixty media releases, twenty eight radio spots, hundreds of electronic releases of information through e-mail or web page; nine hundred releases of information through newsletters or magazines; According to the MU Extension Information Specialist, it is estimated that the media campaigns brought about state and national referrals, based on circulation rates from newsletters, newspapers, viewing and listening audiences annually exceeds 987,555 persons who were made aware of the AgrAbility program. PARTICIPANTS: The AgrAbility Project partnership is between University Extension, including Lincoln University's Small Farm Program Educational Assistants, at Lincoln University collaborating with SIL and MERIL to address Missouri specific needs. The contribution each partner made to the project was substantial, and critical to the success of the proposed plan of work. The University of Missouri Extension (UME), collaborating with Services for Independent Living (SIL) and Midland Empire Resources for Independent Living (MERIL) recognized that the success of MAP was depended on effectively reaching persons of all ages and disabilities, and gaining support from key stakeholders and professionals throughout the state. This issue continually received the highest priority for the proposed funding cycle. Requested funds were used to initiate activities within the three program priority areas-education, networking, and assistance as specified in the USDA "Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities" request for state-level competitive grant application. Missouri's proposed work plan enabled collaborative partners to successfully implement deliverables that meet the USDA priorities - education, networking, assistance, and marketing. The work plan focused on expanding and enhancing Missouri's capabilities to meet the needs of agricultural operators with disabilities. This plan also was used to guide the partners in building Missouri's community-based capacity to improve and increase the likelihood that individuals with disabilities and their families engaged in produce agriculture become more successful and remain gainfully employed. TARGET AUDIENCES: Missouri work plan expanded and enhanced capabilities to meet the needs of Missouri's agricultural operators with disabilities. This work plan also guided the partners in building Missouri's community-based capacity to improve and increase the likelihood that individuals with disabilities and their families engaged in produce agriculture would become more successful and remain gainfully employed. USDA funds initiated activities within the three programmatic priority areas of education, networking, and assistance. Marketing activities intended to make key audiences aware of AgrAbility and its initiatives were included. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Agricultural operators with chronic diseases and disabilities increased their awareness of new services available throughout the state; increased their understanding of safe assistive technology and devices; accomplished home, equipment, and work site modifications; and established networks of volunteers to assist rural agricultural families. By training Missouri stakeholders including agricultural operators with chronic diseases and disabilities, the program provided competent health education and advocacy, as well as increased awareness and utilization of safe, efficient, and effective assistive technology and devices. For example, several Missouri producers have installed machinery modifications, including improved access steps, hand clutch levers, and power assist devices to permit safe and efficient machinery operation. After receiving AgrAbility training, over 85% of the DVR case managers do make and receive AgrAbility referrals. 95% have a better understanding of importance and need for appropriate and safe placement of assistive technology or adapted devices in the rural agricultural work environment. For example, AgrAbility assisted twenty Missouri farmers in securing donated powered mobility devices and an electric powered stairway lift. The MAP also provided sixty, ETC loans of equipment to consumers. Farmers were also provided with direct assistance to increase their opportunities to receive, no cost, short-term (6-week) loans of assistive technology devices and equipment through the Equipment Technology Consortium (ETC). Over two hundred Missouri farmers with disabilities received FREE adapted telephone equipment through the TAP for Telephone Program. Another example; contact has been made with the MU Rehabilitation Counseling program staff to have MAP staff meet annually with students enrolled in Introduction to Rehabilitation course to increase their knowledge about AgrAbility services, assistive technology, and the broad range of resource available to farmers and ranchers with chronic diseases or disabilities. Lastly, AgrAbility has collaborated with the Show-Me Tech Demonstration Center to identify assistive technology devices and equipment for demonstration and education of Missouri farmers and ranches with disabilities of all types. A broad assortment of assistive technology and devices were purchased for demonstration and educational purposes.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
- Funkenbusch, K.; Downs, W. and Nickoley, T.A. 2009. Improving Farmstead Accessibility Factsheet. 8 pp.
- Funkenbusch, K.; Downs, W. and Nickoley, T.A. 2009. Farming with hearing Loss Tip sheet. 12 pp.
- Funkenbusch, K., and Downs, W. and Nickoley, T.A. 2009. Choosing a Design Lift for Farmers and Ranchers with Spinal cord Injuries. 10 pp.
- Funkenbusch, K.E. and Downs, H.W. 2009. SADI AgrAbility Training Manual. 55 pp.
- Funkenbusch, K.; Downs, W. and Nickoley, T.A. 2009. Tools and Techniques, A Resource Guide to Easier Gardening. 52 pp.
- Downs, H.W., Funkenbusch, K.F., Fossi, M., Gonzales, A. and Partida, Sylvia. 2009. Let's Talk About Arthritis. 25 pp.
- Cook, S; Funkenbusch, K; Kelly, D; Rahm, C; Rogge, D, and Christina Case, and others. 2009. Resources and Services for Minority Farmers and Ranchers. 20 pp.
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Progress 04/01/07 to 03/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Missouri outputs were accomplished through statewide activities, services, and products. The University of Missouri Extension and their collaborating partners from SIL, MERIL, and the MO DVR helped to facilitate Missouri's AgrAbility output efforts by specifically targeting new agricultural families affected by disabilities combined with educating case managers, extension specialists, educational assistants, occupational and physical therapists, students, independent living specialists, service providers, or rural volunteers committed to assisting those families. AgrAbility staff members from the University of Missouri Extension collaborated with SIL and MERIL to provide approximately fifty-five on-the-farm assessments to enhance the quality of life of farmers with disabilities or their family members by focusing on their return to an agricultural related profession. Extension specialists provided assistance to farm or ranch families by suggesting equipment, home, or
outbuilding modifications. Suggested modifications included hand controls for tractors; improvements for step modifications; accessibility improvements for farm structures; and adapted or assistive devices for small hand tools. Assistive technologies and adapted devices were recommended to improve or increase the producers' productivity and quality of life. Approximately 3,800 farmers or ranchers with disabilities were provided information or referral assistance to promote their return to farming or a farm-related profession, to the community, and independent living. Fifty awareness trade shows; state, regional, county, or national health fairs; state and county youth events; county, regional, state, or national agriculture, disability, chronic health, wellness, safety, or wellness conferences; and assistive technology venues were attended by Missouri's AgrAbility staff members. Over 25 educational and 20 technical program presentations were presented; 25 electronic educational or
technical tip sheets were produced; an AgrAbility programmatic webpage, http://www.fsb.missouri.edu/agrability/ was maintained; and hundreds of referrals and recommendations for farm, home, equipment, or worksite modifications to ensure safety, ease of use, comfort, and efficiency were provided. Missouri's statewide awareness campaign included 35 media releases; 12 radio spots; 1 television appearance on local coverage; 375 electronic releases of information via e-mail and programmatic webpage; 350 releases of information through newsletters and magazines along with 9,251 recoded hits on the programmatic webpage enhanced the AgrAbility program not on throughout the state of Missouri but, across the country. According to the University of Missouri Information Specialist combined with the documented circulation rates from newsletters, newspapers, viewing and listening audiences, annually exceeds 987,697 persons who were made aware of the AgrAbility program.
TARGET AUDIENCES: AgrAbility staff members implemented methods that met educational and technical outreach services for agricultural workers and their family members with chronic diseases, disabilities, or disorders. Services were provided to Missouri producers to enhance their quality of life and by focusing on their return to farming, ranching, or an agricultural related profession.
Impacts
Missouri's fiscal year objectives and activities were successfully accomplished through statewide components. AgrAbility outreach efforts included awareness activities; direct educational and technical assistance; production of electronic educational or technical materials; and advice regarding farm, home, equipment, or work site modifications that ensured safety, ease of use, comfort, and efficiency. On-the-farm direct services were provided to enhance the quality of life of Missouri agricultural workers with disabilities by focusing on their safe return to an agricultural related profession. Missouri specifically targeted new agricultural families affected by chronic diseases, disabilities, or disorders as well as case managers, extension specialists, educational assistants, occupational and physical therapists, independent living specialists, service providers, and volunteers committed to assisting those families. By training Missouri stakeholders, including
farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, the AgrAbility program provided competent health education and advocacy as well as increased awareness and utilization of safe, efficient, and effective assistive technologies and adapted devices. For example, according to the 2007 Missouri AgrAbility Training Survey, over 85% of the Missouri DVR case managers who received training, do make and receive AgrAbility related referrals coupled with, 95% of those same case managers, having a better understanding of the importance and need for appropriate and safe placement of assistive technology or adapted devices in the rural agricultural work environment. Also, Missouri producers reported that they installed machinery, equipment, or home modifications to improve their efficiency. Farmers and ranchers also stated they installed equipment such as steps for better access, hand clutch levers, and power assist devices that permit safe and efficient machinery operation. The Missouri AgrAbility Program also
recycled three power wheelchairs, two Hoyer lifts, one computer, one trapeze bar and frame, one stairway lift, and one closed caption television. Six Missouri farmers received, at no cost, short term (6-week) loans of assistive technology devices and equipment through the Equipment Technology Consortium (ETC) program. While another, six farmers received FREE adapted telephone equipment through the TAP for Telephone Program. The AgrAbility program also obtained an array of assistive technology and adapted devices to which were used across the state for educational and demonstration purposes. Awareness events included the Missouri State Fair, Western Farm Show, Mid-Show Cotton Show, DW Auto, and Extension Field Days. While educational programs were presented to Missouri agriculture journalism students, occupational and physical therapy students, health psychology students, agricultural systems management students, 4-H FFA, Boy and Girl Scouts, and elementary and secondary students who
attend public, private faith based schools, or home schools.
Publications
- NEWSLETTERS: Thomas, R., Funkenbusch, K., and Downs, W., "Farm families should listen up, protect themselves against hearing loss" CAFNR NEWS, March 5, 2007.
- Thomas, R., Funkenbusch, K., and Downs, W., "Farm families should listen up, protect themselves against hearing loss" ANIMAL SCIENCE NEWS, March 5, 2007.
- Thomas, R., Funkenbusch, K., and Downs, W., "Farm families should protect themselves against hearing loss" USAgNet.com., Missouri Ag News Headlines, March 7, 2007.
- Thomas, R., Funkenbusch, K., and Downs, W., "Listen Up" Missouri Ruralist, March 7, 2007.
- QUARTERLY: Missouri State Rehabilitation Council, March 2007, "Assistive Technology and MU AgrAbility Training," Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, page 20.
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Progress 04/01/06 to 03/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Missouri's outputs were accomplished through statewide activities, services, and products. The University of Missouri Extension and their collaborating partners from SIL, MERIL, and the MO DVR facilitated AgrAbility output efforts by specifically targeting new agricultural families affected by disabilities combined with educating case managers, extension specialists, educational assistants, occupational and physical students, independent living specialists, service providers, or rural volunteers committed to assisting those families. Statewide, AgrAbility staff members from the University of Missouri Extension collaborated with SIL and MERIL to provide approximately forty on-the-farm assessments to enhance the quality of life of farmers with disabilities and their family members by focusing on their return to an agricultural related profession. Extension specialists were on hand to provide assistance by suggesting modifications that included hand controls for tractors,
improvements for step modifications, accessibility improvements for farm structures, and other assistive technologies to improve producers' productivity. Approximately 3,500 farmers with disabilities were also provided information or referral assistance to promote their return to farming or a farm related profession, to the community, and independent living. Seventy-five awareness trade shows; state, regional, county, or national health fairs; state and county youth events; county, regional, state, or national disability, health, safety, or wellness conferences; and assistive technology venues were attended. Over 22 educational and 15 technical program presentations were made; 20 electronic educational or technical tips sheets were produced; programmatic webpage, http://www.fsb.missouri.edu/agrability/ was maintained; and hundreds of recommendations on farm, home, equipment, or work site modifications that ensure safety, ease of use, comfort, and efficiency were provided. Our
statewide awareness campaigns included 44 media releases, 7 radio spots, 2 television appearances on local coverage; 350 electronic releases of information through e-mail or web page; 450 releases of information through newsletters or magazines; and 10,021 recorded hits on the AgrAbility programmatic web page. According to the MU Extension Information Specialist, it is estimated that the media campaigns brought about state and national referrals, based on circulation rates from newsletters, newspapers, viewing and listening audiences annually exceeds 987,555 persons who were made aware of the AgrAbility program.
TARGET AUDIENCES: AgrAbility staff members implemented methods that met educational and technical outreach services for agricultural workers and their families with chronic diseases, disorders, or disabilities. Services were provided to enhance the quality of life of agricultural workers with disabilities and their family members by focusing on their return to farming, ranching, or agricultural related professions.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Missouri's objectives were accomplished through statewide components that included awareness activities; direct educational and technical assistance; production of electronic educational or technical materials; and advice regarding farm, home, equipment, or work site modifications that ensure safety, ease of use, comfort, and efficiency. Direct on-the-farm services were provided to enhance the quality of life of agricultural workers with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family members by focusing on their return to an agricultural related profession. Outreach efforts were targeted to new agricultural families affected by disabilities as well as extension specialists, educational assistants, occupational and physical therapists, independent living specialists, service providers, and volunteers committed to assisting those families. Missouri is on schedule to complete scheduled objectives/activities as outlined. The cooperators are proposing the
following changes. To design a Universal Design (UD) kitchen to demonstrate assistive technologies and adapted devices used by persons with disabilities. The UD kitchen will be used to demonstrate to farmers with disabilities how AgrAbility services and resources can be accessed. The NW AgrAbility team will meet with Dr. Mary Yearns, Iowa AgrAbility Project, to explore the feasibility of designing, developing, funding, and implementing a demonstration UD kitchen to be installed at the MERIL facility. Agricultural operators with disabilities and their families living and working in rural Northwest Missouri will benefit from learning about the universally designed kitchens combined learning about services and assistance provided by the AgrAbility program. Another change; is to increase rural agricultural operators with disabilities knowledge level of the PHAM dog program; ways in which a service dog can be trained to assist operators with disabilities with tasks specific to the farming
occupation. Goals would include facilitating a focus group for farmers with chronic diseases or disabilities to explain the PHARM dog and Missouri AgrAbility programs. Another goal would be to meet with a service/assistance dog trainer to collaborate on how to train a dog for demonstration purposes. AgrAbility staff would also meet with the trainer to discuss options needed for training a dog used to assist agricultural operators with disabilities in a farm setting. The NW Missouri AgrAbility Specialist will secure a dog and have it trained with farm service skills to be used for demonstration purposes. The PHARM Dog will be used to demonstrate service skills used in a farm setting to farmers, Extension staff, MERIL staff, Extension Councils, 4-H Clubs, FFA groups, schools, farm show participants, fairs, and other groups to show the possibilities of how a trained dog can be used in an agricultural setting.
Impacts
Agricultural operators with chronic diseases and disabilities increased their awareness of new services available throughout the state; increased their understanding of safe assistive technology and devices; accomplished home, equipment, and work site modifications; and established networks of volunteers to assist rural agricultural families. By training Missouri stakeholders including agricultural operators with chronic diseases and disabilities, the program provided competent health education and advocacy, as well as increased awareness and utilization of safe, efficient, and effective assistive technology and devices. For example, several Missouri producers have installed machinery modifications, including improved access steps, hand clutch levers, and power assist devices to permit safe and efficient machinery operation. After receiving AgrAbility training, over 60% of the DVR case managers do make and receive AgrAbility referrals. 95% have a better understanding
of importance and need for appropriate and safe placement of assistive technology or adapted devices in the rural agricultural work environment. For example, AgrAbility assisted two Missouri farmers in securing donated powered mobility devices; one powered wheelchair and one electric powered wheelchair and an electric powered stairway lift. The MAP also provided six, ETC loans of equipment to consumers. Farmers were also provided with direct assistance to increase their opportunities to receive, no cost, short-term (6-week) loans of assistive technology devices and equipment through the Equipment Technology Consortium (ETC). Six Missouri farmers with disabilities received FREE adapted telephone equipment through the TAP for Telephone Program. Another example; contact has been made with the MU Rehabilitation Counseling program staff to have MAP staff meet annually with students enrolled in Introduction to Rehabilitation course to increase their knowledge about AgrAbility services,
assistive technology, and the broad range of resource available to farmers and ranchers with chronic diseases or disabilities. Lastly, AgrAbility has collaborated with the Show-Me Tech Demonstration Center to identify assistive technology devices and equipment for demonstration and education of Missouri farmers and ranches with disabilities of all types. A broad assortment of assistive technology and devices were purchased for demonstration and educational purposes. MAP purchased a portable, trailer mounted seat lift for demonstration and education.
Publications
- Funkenbusch, K., "Students learn 'first hand' about AgrAbility," Discovery & Enlighten, College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, September 2006.
- QUARTERLY: Marsh, B., Downs, W., Funkenbusch, K., "AgrAbility Keeps a Missouri Farmer's Passion Alive" AgrAbility Quarterly, Winter 2006, Vol. 6, No. 2.
- 2006 Annual Report, Missouri State Rehabilitation Council, December 2006. Published by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, "Assistive Technology" page 20.
- NEWSLETTER: Allenbrand, J., "Have You Heard of AgrAbility?" NW Stock Talk, Volume II, Issue IX, July 1st, 2006.
- Funkenbusch, K., Downs, W., March, B., "What is AgrAbility" Volume 1, Number 1, April/May 2006.
- Funkenbusch, K., "Missouri AgrAbility program still helps others, promoting success in agriculture for people with disabilities and their families", pg 4, The Spinal Series, Vol. 11, No. 2, Fall 2006, The Missouri Model Spinal Cord Injury System, University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Funkenbusch, K., and Downs, W., "Disability in Rural America" Migrant Health Newsline, News and Information from the National Center for Farmworker Health since 1984, Vol. 22, No. 3, May/June 2006.
- Maltsberger, B., "AgrAbility Program Expands Into NW Missouri", NW Extension Newsletter, Fall 2006.
- Allenbrand, J., and Maltsberger, B., "PHARM dog coming to Missouri and Kansas," MERIL Massager, pgs 4-5, May 2006.
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Progress 04/01/05 to 04/01/06
Outputs
Agriculture is the number one industry for Missouri home to over 105,000 farms with cash receipts totaling more than $5.6 billion. In Missouri, agriculture is an important industry and therefore, it is equally important to keep our farmers, ranchers, and ranchers safe and healthy. In Missouri, farming and ranching is a way of life that values the family working together for a common goal. When a family member is affected by a disease, disability, or disorder this way of life becomes challenged. This is not a unique situation to Missouri. Farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers with disabilities, is a national problem. But like most health care issues, it is a problem that is acutely felt in our Missouri rural, agricultural communities. By combining our talents, the University of Missouri Extension, Midland Empire Resources for Independent Living, and Services for Independent Living collaboratively provide quality care and AgrAbility services to individuals and families who
are engaged in farming, ranching, or farm-related occupations and are coping with the effects of diseases, disabilities, or disorders. Our main funding source is the US Department of Agriculture. The following information highlights Missouri's ongoing success in providing outreach services and assistance at the home and on the farm or ranch. The Missouri AgrAbility Project provided education, assistance, and marketing strategies to help accommodate disabilities, eliminate barriers, and create a favorable climate among rural service providers for Missourians with diseases, disabilities, or disorders. In addition, the Missouri AgrAbility Project assisted farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers from being forced out of their chosen occupation of agriculture because of their disabilities by providing them with ideas for safe and affordable modifications combined with simple solutions to help them maintain their businesses and lifestyles. Messages from the field; Jeff, who is a fifty-two farmer
with osteoarthritis arthritis, reported how the Missouri AgrAbility Project changed his life. Jeff stated, the farmers with arthritis tip sheets were very helpful combined with adapting his hand tools and implementing assistive technology has changed my life, for the better. My everyday tasks and chores are easier and my overall quality of life has improved. Robert, who is seventy and still actively farming from Central Missouri stated, getting help and information from the Missouri AgrAbility Project has been great. Because of my age and recent disability, everyone wanted me to quit farming. But, I want no part of that life. The Missouri AgrAbility showed me that all things are possible, even after my disability and they didn't worry about how old I am. By using adapted devices and making modifications to my farming equipment, my home, and my out buildings, I can continue to safely farm and live more independently.
Impacts
The program impacted agricultural families affected by disabilities by increasing consumer awareness of available services throughout the state; increasing consumer knowledge of safe assistive technology and devices; accomplishing home, equipment, and work site modifications; and establishing networks of volunteers who assisted families. As an empowering, community based, and consumer responsive program, the program assisted agricultural workers with disabilities and their family members with the knowledge and confidence necessary to overcome compromised access to health and human services. By training agricultural workers and their families, the program provided appropriate health education and advocacy, as well as increase agricultural worker awareness, and utilization of safe assistive technology or adapted devices. Outreach activities supported the mission of AgrAbility by providing comprehensive services to agricultural workers with disabilities and their family
members. Knowledge and expertise was enhanced by individuals with disabilities who are engaged in agricultural enterprises. Staff members from the Missouri AgrAbility Project helped farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers with diseases, disabilities, and disorders succeed in farming or ranching. During this fiscal year, more than 50 farmers, ranchers, or farmworkers received information and worksite assessment plans.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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