MICHIGAN AGRABILITY

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: 3D GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1017327
• Grant No.: 2018-41590-28722
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $723,840.00
• Proposal No.: 2018-04254
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2018
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Grant Year: 2021
• Program Code: [LQ]- AgrAbility

Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824

Performing Department
ANIMAL SCIENCE

Non Technical Summary
AgrAbility provides critical assistance to enable a farmer with a disability to continue working. An effective AgrAbility program increases the likelihood that farmers with disabilities and their families who are engaged in production agriculture become more successful. Statistically, persons with disabilities are far less likely to be employed. However, farmers have a culture of pride that motivates them to continue working in spite of pain and difficulty. There is, also, a need for ongoing education on safe farming practices to prevent secondary injuries. There are approximately 80,000 farm operators and 83,000 hired farm workers, including migrant/seasonal farm workers in Michigan. AgrAbility will be educating, marketing and networking with individuals who work in agriculture, the agriculture industry, health care and government agencies to ensure that individuals needing agriculture-specific disability services are identified and aware of these services on a statewide basis. It is important as part of this process to have ongoing evaluation to provide feedback to assure effective provision of services.The Michigan agricultural work force includes a substantial percentage of aging workers who are at increased risk of impairment from conditions associated with aging (e.g. arthritis, stroke). According to the latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Census of Agriculture for Michigan there were 52,194 farms, 80,304 farm operators and 83,451 hired workers in Michigan with the average age of farm operators being 55.5 years old (57.6 years for the principal operator). Twenty-six percent of all farm operators and 31% of the principal farm operators in Michigan were over the age of 65. Annually, we estimate there are over 2000 farm workers in the state of Michigan who would benefit from the assistance of AgrAbility. This estimate is derived from data on both the number of traumatic farm-related injuries that occur and the number of disabilities from chronic medical conditions in the Michigan population. Based on the most recent survey done by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), it is estimated that the annual incidence of farm related injuries is 1.5 per 100 workers. This would equate to 2,456 farm related injuries every year in Michigan. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Occupational Injury Surveillance of Production Agriculture (OISPA) Survey reported that 5% of farm related injuries resulted in permanent impairment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) survey of employers, which excludes farms with 11 or less employees, reported that in 2016 there were 900 farm related injuries in Michigan with an incidence of 3.7 injuries per 100 full time workers of which 600 of the injuries caused lost work time or restricted work activity. The BLS estimate is less than the NASS estimate. The NASS estimate is from an earlier time period and includes all farms not just farms with employees. Paid employees are reported on 26.1% of farms in Michigan. Twenty-six percent of the NASS estimate of 2,140 injuries is 559, which is closer to the BLS estimate of 900. Applying the NIOSH estimate that 5% of agricultural injuries cause permanent impairment leads to an estimate of 45 (5% of 900 BLS estimate of total number of injuries) to 123 (5% of 2,456 NIOSH estimate of total number of injuries) Michigan farmers have work-related injuries each year who would benefit from assistance from the Michigan AgrAbility program.The other and larger component of the total estimate of clients eligible to receive service from the Michigan AgrAbility program is the number of farmers with chronic diseases of aging such as arthritis, coronary artery disease, cancer, COPD, diabetes, stroke and neurologic conditions. Given, Michigan's aging farmer workforce, there is a large unmet need for assistance for farmers and their families dealing with injuries, illnesses and disabling conditions. The overall prevalence of disability in Michigan is 14.5%. The prevalence of disability increases dramatically with age; for persons 21 to 64 years old the prevalence is 13.1%, increasing to 24.7% among 65 to 74 year olds and to 49.1% for persons whose ages are 75+). The percentage of 21-64 year olds in Michigan who are disabled is larger than the prevalence of 10.9% among 21-64 year olds in the United States. Extrapolating these percentages to the farm operators in Michigan (26% of whom are over 65), there are an estimated 2000 farm operators with disabilities. Disabilities create challenges in life. For Michigan's farmers, and farm workers, disabilities and chronic health problems can transform an active, independent lifestyle to one of uncertainty, dependence, and adaptation. In addition to the emotional and physical challenges of adapting to a disability or serious health condition, farm families also face financial challenges. Many ask, "How can we continue farming?" and expect that they will have to "rethink" their lifestyles and their careers.Engineering/rehabilitation services, research/development and assistive technology costs are very high, and outside the ability of farmers to self-pay. The net result is that Michigan farmers either continue working in severe pain, overstressing their bodies, using unsuitable tools and equipment and endangering their future health or are forced to stop working. For a farmer with a disability to be retrained and find alternative employment in a rural community is very difficult, if not impossible. The natural progression is that the farmer's health continues to degrade until he is forced to stop working. AgrAbility provides critical services because medical insurance and disability insurance plans do not cover the costs of rehabilitation services at the farm work site and the assistive technology to enable a farmer to continue working. Data from the 2016 American Community Survey estimated that there were 738,700 noninstitutionalized men and women ages 21-64 in Michigan with a disability of whom only 248, 203 (33.6%) were employed as compared to 78.3% of men and women ages 21-64 in Michigan without a disability who were employed. Working-age persons with a disability were nearly three times less likely to be employed. In comparison, in the United States, 36.2% of 21-64 year olds with disabilities and 78.9 % without disabilities were employed (5). In contrast to these low employment rates among the disabled are the shortages of workers on Michigan farms. Michigan Farm Bureau began reporting in October 2013 that there was a 10 to 20% shortage of workers to help bring in the fruit and vegetable harvest. Apples, asparagus, strawberries and other crops rotted in the fields in 2013 because of the shortage of labor. This problem has continued with a further reduction in the number of migrant workers in Michigan. Agriculture can be a solution for low employment for people with disabilities. A farmer who is already employed can be helped to keep working in spite of a disabling injury or illness. People with disabilities who are looking for work can be helped to find jobs on Michigan farms. AgrAbility will network within the agricultural industry to make it more likely that people with disabilities can continue working in production agriculture.

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
903	6010	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

agrability

farmers

nap

srap

Goals / Objectives
Education of the agricultural community about disability accommodation and secondary injury prevention and disability services; Networking in the agriculture industries and disability services communities to multiply the benefits that can be provided to farmers; cAssistance for individuals with disabilities so they can work in agricultureMarketing to ensure that individuals needing services are aware how to access the services.

Project Methods
Training and EducationMichigan AgrAbility will gather agriculture specific work related injury data from Michigan's 134 hospitals, contact injured farmers, follow up with education and assistance, and tailor educational efforts according to the injuries identified. Farmers identified with serious injuries will receive a letter informing them of the Michigan AgrAbility program. In addition to individual contact with injured farmers, the hospital/ED data will be aggregated. Data to be compiled will include age, gender, race, geographic location, nature of injury and when available, type of farm. Heroes to Hives will coordinate an annual training for beekeeper veterans to learn about ergonomics, secondary injury prevention, and assistive technology for beekeeping. Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) operates an incubator farm called Tilian Farm in Ann Arbor, MI. MIFFS will use the Tilian farm as a demonstration site for assistive technology that will enable farmers with disabilities to continue working. Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) regularly conducts farm assessments to improve safety. The farm client will be trained regarding prevention of secondary injury for various disability types: low vision, mobility, arm/hand, neck/back, hearing, respiratory, strength/endurance. MFB will also make available to their members and county farm bureau affiliates, a Michigan AgrAbility developed educational module to educate farmers on how to hire and accommodate the worksite for workers with disabilities. Also MFB will provide a MI AgrAbility developed a training module for onsite-training of each farm client and his family and staff regarding secondary injury prevention for specific disability types. Michigan AgrAbility champions will be asked to distribute AgrAbility materials and AgrAbility will provide articles and educational information to them for use in their publications. Additional champions will be sought out based on their interest in serving people with disabilities and connection to the agriculture industry.Michigan AgrAbility will refer beginning farmers with disabilities to the Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) programs supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) to help them learn basic information on starting a farm. Many people with disabilities who own land will start farming because they can be self-employed and set up the business in an accessible way.NetworkingMI AgrAbility will Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Heroes to Hives to help advise clients who are veterans to access the financial and educational services of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. The system of services through the Veterans Administration can be challenging to navigate, and the challenges faced by veterans can be unique. The expertise of the Farmer Veteran Coalition will help Michigan AgrAbility customers who are veterans have a greater likelihood of success at their farm businesses. In addition, the Farmer Veteran Coalition has developed financial opportunities to assist veteran farmers with disabilities to purchase needed infrastructure equipment on their farms. Also MI AgrAbility will work with InterCare to assist migrant farm workers. InterCare will provide AgrAbility literature in Spanish, and work with Michigan AgrAbility to assist workers who have physically disabling injuries or illnesses to help determine appropriate assistive technology that will enable them to continue working. Michigan AgrAbility will continue to work with the Michigan Center for Rural Health to share AgrAbility materials to their statewide members. This will include an annual AgrAbility webinar directed to rural health professionals, quarterly newsletters and social media.AssistanceAgrAbility will assist farmers who have a medical condition or injury that impairs one or more essential farm work task for 6 months or longer. Ned Stoller, the assistive technology professional (ATP) or the new ATP will meet the farmer at their farm and conduct an evaluation. Mr. Stoller, or the case manager will then follow up with appropriate assistance, which may include product selection advice, accessibility and ergonomic recommendations; life activities and farm operations planning guidance; and advocacy to obtain service and financial aid.MarketingA marketing campaign will be continued to inform the farming community of the benefits of AgrAbility. The campaign will include ongoing efforts to enlist rural professionals in the medical and agricultural fields, to teach farmers about secondary injury prevention and work site accommodations. The Easterseals case manager will direct the marketing objectives with support from existing Easterseals and Farm Bureau marketing professionals. Also a previously developed Michigan AgrAbility promotional video will be distributed through Michigan Farm Bureau community action groups, AgrAbility champions & partners and on the AgrAbility website and YouTube channel. MSU Extension will ensure that copies are available at each of the 80 extension offices and the 14 research and extension centers located around the state of Michigan.The Easterseals of Michigan marketing and development team will continue to have a monthly e-newsletter coordinated with social media and a website. The current email-marketing list of 124 farmers' and rehabilitation professionals' emails will be expanded as outreach continues. It will be expanded by adding new customer emails, new agricultural based businesses and organizations and health care providers in rural areas of Michigan interested in AgrAbility. Short articles on Michigan AgrAibility will appear on the MSU Extension News site, which receives over 250,000 visits per month. Once a year, we will have a 60-second public service announcement on the Michigan Farm Radio Network. It will be broadcasted 40 times over the course of a month, reaching most of Michigan.Michigan AgrAbility will place an advertisement in the Michigan Farm News, which is published 20 times per year and mailed to the 48,000 active farmers who are members of Michigan Farm Bureau and 2000 agricultural related organizations. An electronic version is posted as well to 15,000 users.Michigan AgrAbility will continue to have a display booth at the Michigan Agro Expo, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Growers Expo, Michigan Health Expo and Upper Peninsular State Fair. Displays will educate agriculture and the public about AgrAbility services and provide opportunity to network with other vendors in the industry. We will continue to provide educational sessions to expo participants. To facilitate an increased number of display booths, we will develop a "ready-to-ship" display kit that will allow supporters to use at events without having Michigan AgrAbility staff present.Michigan AgrAbility will continue to maintain list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. AgrAbility will orrespond regularly with them via monthly enewsletter, social media. AgrAbility will encourage them to support Michigan farmers by referrals to AgrAbility, distributing AgrAbility information through their networks, special pricing for AgrAbility customers, donations on behalf of AgrAbility, and modifications of equipment and construction of assistive technology.Michigan AgrAbility will continue to distribute literature about AgrAbility services in Spanish through migrant health services and through the Michigan Farm Bureau ALSS Department. We will continue to provide InterCare with AgrAbility literature in Spanish and work with InterCare to assist workers who have physically disabling injuries or illnesses to help determine appropriate assistive technology that will enable them to continue working.

Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/23

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 and veterans with disabilities interested in agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the last five years, Michigan AgrAbility staffparticipated in and made presentations at the National AgrAbility Training Workshop and/or AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop. Ned Stoller presented a webinar on "Farming with shoulder injuries" as part of the 2019 AgrAbility Virtual National Training Workshop on January 30, 2019. Mr. Stoller presented a webinar on "Low-tech assistive technology at home and abroad" as part of the 2020 AgrAbility Virtual National Training Workshop on January 29, 2020. Mr.Stoller presented a webinar on "Are Clients Slipping Through the Cracks?" as part of the 2021 AgrAbility Virtual National Training Workshop on March 9th, 2021. Ned Stoller and Andrea Garza made a presentation on "Migrant Farmworker Assistive Technology" as part of the 2022 AgrAbility National Training Workshop in March 2022. Ned Stoller made the following presentations on: "Worksite and Secondary Injury Assessment and Documentation", "Design by What You Can Find: Assistive Technology Built on the Farm", and "How to do a Beekeeping Worksite Assessment" during the 2022 NTW.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" as part of the 2023 AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop in March 2023. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Public Outreach Michigan AgrAbility has conducted extensive marketing over the five years. Michigan AgrAbility developed a website, Facebook page, a Pinterest account and videos on YouTube (listed in Other Products section). Each year there was an end of year mailing to 1,742 recipients: Michigan AgrAbility News: Year In Review. Michigan AgrAbility and Michigan Rehabilitative Servicesheld a live Facebook event on June 28, 2019 at a farm in Casco, Michigan. The video reached 1,311 people and has been viewed 582 times. Ned Stoller gave a radio interview for WIN 98.5 Your Country Radio about the Michigan AgrAbility on October 24, 2018. In 2020, Bev Berens joined hosts of the Morning Grind on radio station 92.7 FM to discuss what Michigan AgrAbility program is, and what it does for farmers with disability, and how people can help and contribute monetarily. The show reaches more than 3,000 listeners early every Saturday morning. In Jnauary 2022, Bev Berens facilitated interviews for the Michigan Ag Today podcast and webcast in which Michigan AgrAbility and MichiganRehabilitative Services talked about their partnership to help Michigan's disabled farmers. Presentations/Display Booths Michigan AgrAbility made 68 presentations, had 54 display booths and attended 108 conferences/trade shows/meetings. There were 125,538 attendees. There were a total of 3,254 brochures and 629 business cards distributed. News Media about Michigan AgrAbility Public relations material submitted to the NIFA Point of Contact:1) Michigan AgrAbility August 2018 Newsletter: The Andersons; A Company That Cares (9/28/2018); 2) Michigan AgrAbility News: May, 2018 Year In Review; 3) "As farmers keep working longer experts worry about ag industry's future" (Andrew Soerger, Detroit News, 7/20/2019); 4) "Disability Shouldn't Keep You From Farming" brochure; 5) "AgrAbility Demonstration Farm Opening in Michigan" (Nicole Heslip, Brownfield Ag News for America, 9/30/2019); 6) "Disabled farmers can try equipment before they buy it" (Bev Berens, Michigan Farmer, 9/17/2019); 7) "Michigan AgrAbility announces demonstration farm" (Bev Berens, Michigan Farm News, 9/4/2020); 8) Michigan AgrAbility News 2019 Year in Review; 9) "Fruit and berry farm years in the making" (Hillsdale County Farm Bureau, 3/28/2020);10) "AgrAbility Program to Host Virtual State Fair" (Dokter Andalan, 2/25/2021); 11) Michigan AgrAbility News 2020 Year In Review; 12) "With Help From Michigan AgrAbility, Area Loggers Overcome Injuries" (Jordan Beck, 5/2021); 13) "Ferris highlights Disability Awareness Month activities" (Olivia Fellows, 10/6/2021); 14) "New power chair puts young farmer at the heart of his family's pumpkin patch" (Bev Berens, 10/18/2021); 15) Michigan AgrAbility News 2021 Year In Review & 2021 Michigan AgrAbility Year In Review Insert: 16) "Michigan AgrAbility, Rehabilitation Services Partnership Better Helps Farmers" (Ashley Davenport, 1/17/2022); 17) The Michigan Ag Today Podcast (1/18/2022); 18) "MSU's Alpha Gamma Rho chapter hosted beef show benefiting Michigan AgrAbility" (Hillsdale Daily News staff report, 5/3/2022); 19) "MSU's Alpha Gamma Rho crosses $102,000 threshold in Michigan AgrAbility donations" (Michigan Farm News, 5/5/2022); 20) "MSU receives $225,000 for farm stress management program" (Michigan Farm News, 7/14/2022); 21) 2022 AgrAbility Year In Review Newsletter; 22) "MSU's AGR donates $15,000 to AgrAbility" (Michigan Farm News, 5/3/2023). American Bee Journal has accepted two articles "Let's Talk Lifts" and "Bee Hive Style Choices Broaden Beekeeping Opportunities" by Bev Berens to be published in fall 2023. In the last five years, there were 56E-Notes submitted toCharles Baldwin (National AgrAbility Program (NAP) E-Note Coordinator, Purdue University. Michigan Farm News The Michigan Farm News waspublished 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 wasposted as well to 15,000 users. The Michigan Farm News has committed to continuing this valuable in-kind support. Email Listing Michigan AgrAbility maintained and expanded an email list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. There were1,688 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?We have applied for the AgrAbility grant competitive renewal.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Agricultural Injury Data Michigan AgrAbility gatheredagriculture 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 published tworeports on occupational farm-related injuries in Michigan: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Second Report (January 2017-December 2019). 4/19/2021"; "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Third Report (January 2020-December 2021). 4/25/2023". A peer-reviewed publication "Multisource surveillance system for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries was published in the Journal of Agromedicine in May 2019. The reports and publication are available at www.oem.msu.edu. Since January 2018 we have reviewed 5,388 medical records and confirmed 2,877 farm-related work-related injuries hospitalized or treated in an emergency room. In order to inform more injured farmers about the AgrAbility services, a letter about AgrAbility and the AgrAbility brochure have been mailed to twohundred and four individuals with farm-related work-related injuries. Maintain Relationships and Work with AgrAbility Champions around the State Michigan AgrAbility has solicited local funding sources (the Anderson's Foundation, Michigan Farm Bureau, MSUAlpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Rau chapter,MSUSigma Alpha Fraternity, Eotech Co., Greenstone Farm Credit Services, the Bavarian Inn of Frankemuth, and individual giving)to assist impaired farmers; Since 2008, $208,000 was donated from the aforementioned sources. In the last five years, over $1,170,000 in assistive technology was provided to farmers by Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS). There were 1,655 organizations and individuals that Michigan AgrAbility networkedwith and reachedout to in Michigan with an annual newsletter. MSU Heroes to Hives In 2020,Heroes to Hives coordinated a training for beekeeper veterans to learn about ergonomics, secondary injury prevention, and assistive technology for beekeeping. The training was professionally videoed and was edited into a web-based training segment for beekeepers from around Michigan to learn about healthy beekeeping methods. Ned Stoller conducted the training session. Three MSU Capstone seniors designed and completed beekeeping assistive technology projects with funding from Heroes to Hives and consultation from Ned Stoller in 2021. Mr. Stollerdid a zoom beekeeping assistive technology training session and one training in person in summer 2022. A series of beekeeping assistive technology community of interest calls was conducted in 2022 and 2023. Mr. Stoller did a beekeeping assistive technology evaluation training onsite with the leaders of Southeast Michigan Beekeeping Association in February 2023, and another in person evaluation training for Kalamazoo Beekeeping Club in April 2023, and training presentation on setting up an accessible apiary at the Michigan Beeekeping Association annual meeting in March 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. InterCare staff translated the Michigan AgrAbility fact sheet into Spanish. InterCare has been distributing Michigan AgrAbility literature at migrant housing camps when they do the health screenings and refer appropriate clients to Michigan AgrAbility for services. 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 AgrAbility. These included information on osteoarthritis, how to protect your joints/ergonomic tips in the workplace, arthritisSpanish booklet, excercise sheets, Michigan AgrAbility services brochure and a business card. Between September 2018 and June 2023, Ms. Garza completed range of motion assessments and manual therapy on 175 Hispanic workers at Michigan farms. She also distributed and discussed the use of shoe inserts, knee pads, and non-vibration gloves. Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to Market to Veterans Bev Berens, Michigan AgrAbility Case Manager, wason the advisory board for the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) - Michigan Chapter (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 and Easterseals MORC Veterans Resources. As proposed by Michigan AgrAbility, Michigan Farm Bureau approved language updates in support of veterans in their Agricultural Vocational Rehabilitation policy. AgrAbility contributed input into policy formulation that increased FVC's network of veterans as a guest speaker at the Northern Michigan Veterans Community Action Team meeting. Michigan AgrAbility assisted in planning and conducting a soil health workshop where we presented a summary of services through the organization in September 2021. Michigan Food & Farming System 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. Some of the assistive technologies available for demonstration are Doug's devices plus the items provided by Michigan AgrAbility ATP Ned Stoller include:Propel door sliding door opener; Overhead power shop door; Track Chair; Outbound Mobility 6-wheel wheelchair; Manual stand-up wheelchair; Manual wheelchair with left-hand only operation lever; John Deere Gator with hand controls; Tractor brake and clutch hand controls; Bin level indicator "Grain Gauge"; Covered wheelchair ramp into house from garage; Threepoint quick hitch with hydraulic top link; Grain feeder wagon; Hydraulic hose handles; Spinner peg and knobs for steering wheels; Flexible rubber bottom step on tractor; Wrist brace and lifting hooks; 90 degree handle broom, hammer, & garden tools; Anti-vibration gloves; Air-cell seat cushion; Backpack harness for weed eater or pole saw. Assistance Over the five years, the assistive technology professional, assisted 988 farm clients with disabilities, 453 were new. Ninety-two case closing and 210 evaluation surveys were competed. He conducted 387 farm site evaluation visits. One hundred twenty-three farmers were referred to MRSor Independent Living Center. One hundred and eighty-five farmers had assistive technology purchased by MRS or donated. Total assistive device value was approximately $1,170,000. We responded to 308 calls on the Michigan AgrAbility tollfree line and responded to 141new inquiries directly to Mr. Stoller on his cell phone or to Ms. Berens or Ms. Garza through email or the Facebook messenger. There were three Michigan AgrAbility Farmer Panel Meetings organized to provide feedback to the Michigan AgrAbility Program, including discussion regarding Annual Surveyresults, Case Closing Surveyresponses and outreach activities. Collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health The Michigan Center for Rural Health has distributed AgrAbility materials to their statewide members.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Presentation at the 2019 Michigan Safety Conference: "Work-Related Agricultural Injuries/Fatalities and How AgrAbility Helps Prevent Secondary Injuries". Grand Rapids, April 17, 2019
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Second Report (January 2017-December 2019)" available at www.oem.msu.edu
• 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
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: "Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries". Journal of Agromedicine. Published online: 2 May 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2019.1606746

Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

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 and veterans with disabilities interested in agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility ATP, and Andrea Garza, Michigan AgrAbility COTA, participated in the 2022 AgrAbility National Training Workshop (NTW) in Madison, WI with three Michigan AgrAbility clients. 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 1,598 Facebook likes and 1,684 following; 18 boards/categories, 1,455 pins, 144 followers on Pinterest and 102,918 views on YouTube for 69 videos; with one new video this year with 18 views. There was an end of the year emailing to 1,500 recipients: "Michigan AgrAbility News, 2021 Year In Review". Ned Stoller and Andrea Garza made a presentation on "Migrant Farmworker Assistive Technology" as part of the 2022 AgrAbility National Training Workshop in Madison, WI in March 2022. Ned Stoller madethe following presentations on: "Worksite and Secondary Injury Assessment and Documentation", "Design by What You Can Find: Assistive Technology Built on the Farm", and "How to do a Beekeeping Worksite Assessment" during the 2022 NTW. Michigan Farm News 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 12 presentations, had 11 display booths and attended 19conferences/trade shows/meetings: Michigan Association of Timbermen, Heroes to Hives, MRS Farm Rehab Champion Call, Great Lakes Timberman's Professional Expo, Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Expo, Frank's Crop Watch, Fort Wayne Farm Show, Agro Expo (two events), Farmer Veteran Coalition Soil Health workshop, AgrAbility state fair (virtual), MI Shepherd Symposium, Beef Preview Show, National AgrAbility Training Workshop, Annual Pre-Season Southwest Michigan Migrant Resource Council Grower's Conference, Outreach Worker Training, Farmworkers Appreciation Day event, and Farmer Resource event. There were 66,300 attendees and a total of 330 brochures and 115 business cards were distributed. News Media about Michigan AgrAbility Public Relations Material submitted to Bradley Rein, USDA: 1) Ferris highlights Disability Awareness Month activities (Olivia Fellows, 10/6/2021); 2) New power chair puts young farmer at the heart of his family's pumpkin patch (Bev Berens, 10/18/2021); 3) Michigan AgrAbility News 2021 Year In Review & 2021 Michigan AgrAbility Year In Review Insert: 4) Michigan AgrAbility, Rehabilitation Services Partnership Better Helps Farmers (Ashley Davenport, 1/17/2022); 5) The Michigan Ag Today Podcast (1/18/2022); 6) MSU's Alpha Gamma Rho chapter hosted beef show benefiting Michigan AgrAbility (Hillsdale Daily News staff report, 5/3/2022); 7) MSU's Alpha Gamma Rho crosses $102,000 threshold in Michigan AgrAbility donations (Michigan Farm News, 5/5/2022);8) MSU receives $225,000 for farm stress management program (Michigan Farm News, 7/14/2022). In January 2022, Bev Berens facilitated interviews for the Michigan Ag Today podcast and webcast in which Michigan AgrAbility and Michigan Rehabilitation Services talked about their partnership to help Michigan's disabled farmers. E-Notes submitted to Charles Baldwin (National AgrAbility Program (NAP) E-Note Coordinator, Purdue University): ElevenMichigan E-Notes: September 2021, October 2021, November 2021, December 2021, January 2022, February 2022, March 2022, April 2022, May 2022, June 2022, and July 2022. 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. Michigan AgrAbility supported MIFFS's virtual event in 2021. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We have applied for the AgrAbility grant competitive renewal.

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 second report on occupational farm-related injuries in Michigan: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Second Report (January 2017-December 2019) https://oem.msu.edu/images/annual_reports/AnnualReports_Farm/2017-2019_Farm_Report.pdf. Since January 2021, we have reviewed 577 medical records and confirmed 387 farm-related work-related injuries hospitalized or treated in an emergency room department. Since January 2021 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 twenty-five individuals with farm-related work-related injuries. Maintain Relationships and Work with AgrAbility Champions around the State Michigan AgrAbility has solicited local funding sources to assist impaired farmers; Michigan State University Alpha Gamma Rho donated $18,000, The Andersons donated $1,000, Eotech donated $2,500 and Greenstone Farm Credit donated $5,000. In January 2021, Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth selected Michigan AgrAbility as its charity for the year; $15,785 was collected during special fundraising events. $2,790 was donated through individual giving. Approximately $235,000 in assistive technology was provided to farmers by Michigan Rehabilitative Services in 2021. There are 1,684 organizations and individuals that Michigan AgrAbility networks with and reaches out to in Michigan. MSU Heroes to Hives Ned Stoller, the Michigan AgrAbility ATP, did a zoom beekeeping assistive technology training session on July 12, 2022 and another one is scheduled in person for August 19, 2022. A series of three beekeeping assistive technology community of interest calls have been conducted during the spring and summer of 2022 and will continue on a monthly basis as desired by the participants. 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.In January 2022, Ms. Garza conducted a shoulder injury assessment of a hispanic farm worker at an apple farm (Green Tree Orchards). Ms. Garza attended the Farmworkers Appreciation Day event in Bangor on July 31, 2022, completing 28 joint pain/range of motion assessments. Ms. Garza completed joint pain/ROM assessments with farm workers from Bel Lago Vineyards in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Four assessments were completed in May and two in July 2022.Ms. Garza continues outreach/communication with InterCare and other agencies such as Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Garza is collaborating with Esmeralda Mandujano (California AgrAbility) and Kimber Nicoletti-Martinez (Indiana AgrAbility) on creating a fact sheet for farmers in Spanish. Ms. Garza is a member of Southwest Michigan Migrant Resource Council and Sparta Area Migrant Resource Council and attended monthly meetings held virtually to inform other agencies of the services provided by the Michigan AgrAbility. Michigan Food & Farming Systems 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 rear view camera and a foam marker for his sprayer donated by Schmucker Manufacturing. AgrAbility also set up a finger controlled electro-hydraulic valve 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. Another new item available for observation at the demonstration farm is a fuel level sight tube so he can see if the combine needs fuel before using the lift to access the operator seat. Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to Market to Veterans 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 Michigan Veterans Resources. As proposed by Michigan AgrAbility, Michigan Farm Bureau approved language updates in support of veterans in their Agricultural Vocational Rehabilitation policy. Michigan Agribility assisted in planning and conducting a soil health workshop where we presented a summary of services through the organization in September2021. FVC Michigan was represented at a veterans expo in Cadillac in May 2022, along with a farmer services event in Leelanau County the same month. Assistance Since September 1, 2021, Ned Stoller, ATP, and Andrea Garza, COTA, assisted 179 farm clients with disabilities; 77 were new. 27 cases were closed. Mr. Stoller conducted 100 farm site evaluation visits and Ms. Garza trained 39 migrant workers. 24 farmers were referred to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) and Independent Living Center. 54 farmers had assistive technology purchased by MRS or donated to them via Easterseals Michigan. In 2021, the value of the assistive devices provided to farmers was approximately $235,000. We responded to 60 calls on the Michigan AgrAbility toll-free line. In addition, there were 50new inquiries directly to Mr. Stoller on his cell phone or to Ms. Berens or Ms. Garza through email or the Facebook messenger. On December 14th, 2021, the Michigan AgrAbility Farmer Panel met virtually to provide feedback to the Michigan AgrAbility program. Annual Survey results from 2020, Case Closing Survey responses, and Outreach activities were discussed. The demonstration site for farm assistive technology and the Michigan State University College of Engineering Design Day projects were also discussed. Collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health The Michigan Center for Rural Health has distributed AgrAbility materials to their statewide members.

Publications

Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

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 and veterans with disabilities interested in agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility ATP, and Bev Berens, Michigan AgrAbility Case Manager, participated in the 2021 AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop (VNTW). 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 1,193 Facebook likes and 1,270 following; 18 boards/categories, 1,455 pins, 141 followers on Pinterest and 64,950 views on YouTube for 67 videos; with 4 new videos this year with 483 views. There was an end of the year emailing to 1,743 recipients: Michigan AgrAbility News 2020 Year in Review. Ned Stoller presented a webinar on "Are Clients Slipping Through the Cracks?" as part of the 2021 AgrAbility Virtual National Training Workshop on March 9th, 2021. Michigan Farm News 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 14 presentations, had two display booths and attended 14 conferences/trade shows/meetings, mostly virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions: Vegetable Production AT, MRS Farm Rehab Champion Training, Demonstration Farm Tour, Great Lakes EXPO, Farm Stress and AgrAbility Meeting, National AgrAbility Training Workshop, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Meeting, Michigan House of Representatives Agriculture Committee Testimony, Michigan Senate Agriculture Committee Testimony, Farmer Veteran Coalition State Annual Meeting, Michigan Shepherd Weekend, Michigan FFA Convention Contests (two events), Alpha Gamma Rho Golf Outing. There were 5,565 attendees and a total of 548 brochures and 28 business cards were distributed. News Media about Michigan AgrAbility Public Relations Material submitted to Bradley Rein, USDA: 1) AgrAbility Program to Host Virtual State Fair (Dokter Andalan, 2/25/2021); 2) Michigan AgrAbility News 2020 Year In Review; and 3) With Help From Michigan AgrAbility, Area Loggers Overcome Injuries (Jordan Beck, 5/2021). E-Notes submitted to Charles Baldwin (National AgrAbility Program (NAP) E-Note Coordinator, Purdue University): NineMichigan E-Notes: September 2020, October 2020, November 2020, combined December 2020 and January 2021, February 2021, March 2021, April 2021, May 2021, and June 2021. 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. Michigan AgrAbility had a display booth at the MIFFS Small Farms Conference in February 2020. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to conduct the activity initiated in years one through three (See Summary of Activity by Objective, Priority Area, Year of Grant, and Description of Activity). The new activity we will do in year 4 is also shown in Summary of Activity: Secondary Injury Prevention Presentations and Training during farm assessments; and determine if there are local funding sources to help improve farm safety regarding secondary injury prevention for AgrAbility customers. We will initiate a training module in Farm Employment for People with Disabilities. In addition, we will continue the effort to address the project's sustainability beyond the current funding. Summary Activity by Objective, Priority Area, Year of Grant, and Description of Activity: • Data Collection, Marketing, Education, years 1,2,3,4 Gather ag-specific work related injury data from Michigan hospitals, contact those patients, follow up with education & assistance, tailor marketing and education efforts accordingly. • Farm Site Assessments, Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 Agricultural Engineer will meet farmer at his/her farm and evaluate situation, then follow up with appropriate assistance. • Customer Case Management, Assistance, networking, years 1,2,3,4 Assist EMS-ATP with follow up communications to related parties and customers regarding product options & cost, corrections to reports, other programs that could help (i.e. farm operation info, independent living), MRS funding, low interest loans, etc. • National AgrAbility NTW, Networking, years 1,2,3,4 Attend the National AgrAbility Training Workshop as required by the grant. • Printed literature & postage, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Manage branded literature, brochures, business cards, newsletters. • Trade Shows, Marketing, networking, education, years 1,2,3,4 Participate in the Michigan Ag Expo, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Growers Expo, Michigan Health Expo and UP State Fair. • Rural Health rehabilitation professionals networking, Networking, marketing, education, years 1,2,3,4 Collaborate with the Michigan Rural Health Network and Michigan Rehabilitation Services counsellors to share AgrAbility materials statewide. • Maintain AgrAbility website & social media, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Manage electronic outreach. • Toll free phone line, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain toll-free phone line and AgrAbility receptionist. • Michigan Farm News AgrAbility Advertisement, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Print advertisement in each issue of the Michigan Farm News. • Agriculture professionals' network, Networking, marketing, education, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. Correspond regularly with them via quarterly newsletter, e-newsletter, social media. • AgrAbility champion network, Networking, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain relationships and work together with AgrAbility champions around the state. • Michigan Rehabilitation Services partnership, Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 When a farmer needs funding to purchase assistive technology, the ESM-ATP will refer him/her to Michigan Rehabilitation Sevices • Evaluation, Networking, assistance, years 1,2,3,4 Evaluate activities of AgrAbility for effectiveness. Activities include meeting with a farmer review panel, annual surveys of customers, and case closing surveys. • Migrant Farm Workers outreach, Networking, marketing, year 2 Distribution of Spanish literature through other migrant health services and through Farm Bureau ALSS department. • Outreach to veterans with disabilities who are farming, Networking, marketing, year 3 Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to market to veterans. • Secondary Injury Prevention Presentation, Education, years 3 to 4 Education module during all farm safety presentations focusing specifically on secondary injury prevention. • Secondary Injury Prevention Training, Education, years 3 to 4 As part of every farm assessment, train farm client and other workers on the farm regarding prevention of secondary injury for various disability types: low vision, mobility, arm/hand, neck/back, hearing, respiratory, strength/endurance. • Secondary Injury Prevention Accommodations funding, Networking, assistance, years 3 to 4 Determine if there are local funding sources to help improve farm safety regarding secondary injury prevention for AgrAbility customers, i.e. roll over bar funding for older tractors, stair railings. • Farm Employment for People with Disabilities training module, Education, networking, year 4 Include module in farm program trainings to educate farms on how to hire and accommodate the worksite for workers with disabilities. Network with farm operators seeking to hire such workers. • MSU Engineering Capstone Project, Networking, years 1,2,3 Identify an engineering challenge that would help an AgrAbility customer, communicate that to the capstone class advisor, give students input on design parameters, help arrange additional funding from Michigan corporate sponsor when needed.

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 second report on occupational farm-related injuries in Michigan: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Second Report (January 2017-December 2019)https://oem.msu.edu/images/annual_reports/AnnualReports_Farm/2017-2019_Farm_Report.pdf. Since January 2020, we have reviewed 669 medical records and confirmed 326 farm-related work-related injuries hospitalized or treated in an emergency room department. Since January 2020 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 twenty individuals with farm-related work-related injuries. Maintain Relationships and Work with AgrAbility Champions around the State Michigan AgrAbility has solicited local funding sources to assist impaired farmers; Michigan Farm Bureau employees donated $3,223 to support Michigan AgrAbility and $315 was donated through individual giving. An additional $7,000 to $8,000 is expected to be received from the 1st Annual Alpha Gamma Rho Golf Outing. Over $220,000 in assistive technology was provided to farmers by Michigan Rehabilitative Services in 2020. In January 2021, Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth selected Michigan AgrAbility as its charity for the year. Donation cans are located throughout the famous inn; beginning in late May 2021, special events will be held at the hotel where Michigan AgrAbility will have greater visibility and opportunity for networking, and special events for fundraising. There are 1,684 organizations and individuals that Michigan AgrAbility networks with and reaches out to in Michigan. MSU Heroes to Hives Ned Stoller, the Michigan AgrAbility ATP, did not conduct the beekeeping assistive technology training session live during the summer of 2020. Instead eightindividual beekeepers received direct assistive technology services throughout the year. Three Capstone seniors designed and completed beekeeping assistive technology projects with funding from Heroes to Hives and consultation from Ned Stoller in April 2021. 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. Between November 5th, 2020 and May 3rd, 2021, Ms. Garza completed range of motion assessments and manual therapy for 26 Hispanic workers at Applegate Dairy Farm in Ravenna, Michigan. She also distributed folders with information on the range of services provided by AgrAbility, and discussed the use of shoe inserts, knee pads, and non-vibration gloves.She revisited the farm several times to get feedback from the individuals of the educational program and equipment she provided.On May 3rd and May 12th, 2021, Ms. Garza conducted joint pain range of motion assessment at Swiss Lane Farms in Alto, Michigan. Ms. Garza distributed folders with information onthe range of services provided by AgrAbility. During the assessment Ms. Garza checked the range of motion of each joint and if there was any limitation or pain while completing work tasks. At the end of the assessment, each farm worker received a piece of equipment such as shoe inserts, knee pads, weightlifter hooks, etc. Michigan Food & Farming Systems 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 Mihigan AgrAbility ATP Ned Stoller. Doug has recently received an Auto-Steer driving system for his primary tractor, funded by his insurance. This assistive technology piece helps reduce strain on neck and shoulders, and the tool is also available for demonstration at Doug's farm. Michigan AgrAbility provided a virtual farm tour for Michigan Rehabilitation Services staff at the Doug Verhoeven demonstration farm. New items available for observation at the demonstration farm include hand controls on a combine, wagon quick hitch, and accessible field sprayer to be pulled by an off-road utility vehicle. Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to Market to Veterans Bev Berens, Michigan AgrAbility Case Manager, is on the advisory board for the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) - Michigan 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 Michigan Veterans Resources. As proposed by Michigan AgrAbility, Michigan Farm Bureau approved language updates in support of veterans in their Agricultural Vocational Rehabilitation policy. Michigan AgrAbility planned to be present and participate in an FVC planned soil health workshop during summer 2020 but due to Covid-19 restrictions, the soil health workshop had to be rescheduled to summer 2021. Assistance Since September 1, 2020, Ned Stoller, ATP, and Andrea Garza, COTA, assisted 171 farm clients with disabilities; 59 were new. Seventeen case closing and 74 evaluation surveys were competed. Mr. Stoller conducted 95 farm site evaluation visits and Ms. Garza trained 26 migrant workers. Thirty-one farmers were referred to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) and Independent Living Center. Twenty-seven farmers had assistive technology purchased by MRS or donated to them via Easterseals Michigan. In 2020, the value of the assistive devices provided to farmers was over $220,000. We responded to 56 calls on the Michigan AgrAbility toll-free line. In addition, there were 32 new inquiries directly to Mr. Stoller on his cell phone or to Ms. Berens through email or the Farm Bureau messenger. On December 2nd, 2020, the Michigan AgrAbility Farmer Panel met to provide feedback to the Michigan AgrAbility program. Annual Survey results from 2019, Case Closing Survey responses, and Outreach activities were discussed. On April 30th, 2021 MSU randomly picked one Michigan AgrAbility client, who completed the 2020 Annual Survey, to receive $100 Carhartt gift cards as a "thank you" for completing the Annual Survey. 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: Other Year Published: 2021 Citation: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: Second Report (January 2017-December 2019)" available at www.oem.msu.edu

Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agricultural workers impacted by disabilities. Farmfamily members, caregivers, and others 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: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility assistive technology professional, participated in the AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop (VNTW) in January 2020. 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 Twitter account (https://twitter.com/farmeasier?lang=en), a Pinterest account (https://www.pinterest.com/MichAgrAbility/) and videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAvhxXy6BHvsl5KSLVZNQ). Michigan AgrAbility has 1,151 likes and 1,261 following on Facebook; 386 following and 321 followers on Twitter; 18 boards/categories, 1,455 pins, 140 followers on Pinterest and 47,769 views on YouTube for 61 videos; with 1 new video this year with 15 views. There was an end of the year emailing to 1,200 recipients: Michigan AgrAbility News 2019 Year in Review. Ned Stoller presented a webinar on low-tech assistive technology at home and abroad as part of the 2020 AgrAbility Virtual National Training Workshop on January 29, 2020. Michigan Farm News 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 2000 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 8 display booths and attended 19 conferences/trade shows/meetings: MRS Champion Award Ceremony, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living Meeting, MRS Champion Phone Call, Michigan Association of Rehab Organizations Meeting, Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, GL Expo, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Growers Expo, Michigan Shepherd Symposium, FVC Annual Meeting, National AgrAbility Virtual NTW, Great Lakes Region Dairy Expo, AGR Beef Preview, MIFFS Conference, Michigan Swine Symposium, Central Michigan University Physical Therapy Student Seminar, Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Leadership Conference, State FFA Convention VIP Reception, Farming for the Future Conference, Ag for Tomorrow Conference. There were 10,662 attendees and a total of 583 brochures and 101 business cards were distributed. Bev Berens joined hosts of the Morning Grind on radio station 92.7 FM to discuss what Michigan AgrAbility program is, and what it does for farmers with disability, and how people can help and contribute monetarily. The show reaches more than 3,000 listeners early every Saturday morning. News Media about Michigan AgrAbility Public Relations Material submitted to Aida Balsano and Bradley Rein, USDA: 1) Disability Shouldn't Keep You From Farming brochure; 2) "AgrAbility Demonstration Farm Opening in Michigan" (Nicole Heslip, Brownfield Ag News for America, 9/30/2019); 3) "Disabled farmers can try equipment before they buy it" (Bev Berens, Michigan Farmer, 9/17/2019); 4) "Michigan AgrAbility announces demonstration farm" (Bev Berens, Michigan Farm News, 9/4/2020); 5) Michigan AgrAbility News 2019 Year in Review; 6) "Fruit and berry farm years in the making" (Hillsdale County Farm Bureau, 3/28/2020) E-Notes submitted to Charles Baldwin (National AgrAbility Program (NAP) E-Note Coordinator, Purdue University): Ten Michigan E-Notes: September 2019, October 2019, November 2019, December 2019, January 2020, February 2020, March 2020, April 2020, May 2020, and June 2020. 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. MIFFS was the founding organization of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Michigan Chapter. Michigan AgrAbility had a display booth at the MIFFS Small Farms Conference in February 2020. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to conduct the activity initiated in years one and two (See Summary of Activity by Objective, Priority Area, Year of Grant, and Description of Activity). The new activity we will do in year threeis also shown in Summary of Activity: Outreach to veterans with disabilities who are farming; Secondary Injury Prevention Presentations and Training during farm assessments; and determine if there are local funding sources to help improve farm safety regarding secondary injury prevention for AgrAbility customers. In addition, we will continue the effort to address the project's sustainability beyond the current funding. Summary of Activity by Objective, Priority Area, Year of Grant, and Description of Activity: Data Collection, Marketing, Education, years 1,2,3,4 Gather ag-specific work related injury data from Michigan hospitals, contact those patients, follow up with education & assistance, tailor marketing and education efforts accordingly. Farm Site Assessments, Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 Agricultural Engineer will meet farmer at his/her farm and evaluate situation, then follow up with appropriate assistance. Customer Case Management, Assistance, networking, years 1,2,3,4 Assist EMS-ATP with follow up communications to related parties and customers regarding product options & cost, corrections to reports, other programs that could help (i.e. farm operation info, independent living), MRS funding, low interest loans, etc. National AgrAbility NTW, Networking, years 1,2,3,4 Attend the National AgrAbility Training Workshop as required by the grant. Printed literature & postage, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Manage branded literature, brochures, business cards, newsletters. Trade Shows, Marketing, networking, education, years 1,2,3,4 Participate in the Michigan Ag Expo, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Growers Expo, Michigan Health Expoand UP State Fair. Rural Health rehabilitation professionals networking, Networking, marketing, education, years 1,2,3,4 Collaborate with the Michigan Rural Health Network and Michigan Rehabilitation Services counsellors to share AgrAbility materials statewide. Maintain AgrAbility website & social media, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Manage electronic outreach. Toll free phone line, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain toll-free phone line and AgrAbility receptionist. Michigan Farm News AgrAbility Advertisement, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Print advertisement in each issue of the Michigan Farm News. Agricultural professionals network, Networking, marketing, education, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. Correspond regularly with them via quarterly newsletter, e-newsletter, social media. AgrAbility champion network, Networking, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain relationships and work together with AgrAbility champions around the state. Michigan Rehabilitation Services partnership, Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 When a farmer needs funding to purchase assistive technology, the ESM-ATP will refer him/her to Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Evaluation, Networking, assistance, years 1,2,3,4 Evaluate activities of AgrAbility for effectiveness. Activities include meeting with a farmer review panel, annual surveys of customers, and case closing surveys. Migrant Farm Workers outreach, Networking, marketing, year 2 Distribution of Spanish literature through other migrant health services and through Farm Bureau ALSS department. Outreach to veterans with disabilities who are farming, Networking, marketing, year 3 Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to market to veterans. Secondary Injury Prevention Presentation, Education, years 3 to 4 Education module during all farm safety presentations focusing specifically on secondary injury prevention. Secondary Injury Prevention Training, Education, years 3 to 4 As part of every farm assessment, train farm client and other workers on the farm regarding prevention of secondary injury for various disability types: low vision, mobility, arm/hand, neck/back, hearing, respiratory, strength/endurance. Secondary Injury Prevention Accommodations funding, Networking, assistance, years 3 to 4 Determine if there are local funding sources to help improve farm safety regarding secondary injury prevention for AgrAbility customers, i.e. roll over bar funding for older tractors, stair railings. Farm Employment for People with Disabilities training module, Education, networking, year 4 Include module in farm program trainings to educate farms on how to hire and accommodate the worksite for workers with disabilities. Network with farm operators seeking to hire such workers. MSU Engineering Capstone Project, Networking, years 1,2,3 Identify an engineering challenge that would help an AgrAbility customer, communicate that to the capstone class advisor, give students input on design parameters, help arrange additional funding from Michigan corporate sponsor when needed.

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 report on occupational farm-related injuries in Michigan: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: First Report (January 2015-December 2016) (https://oem.msu.edu/images/annual_reports/AnnualReports_Farm/2015-2016_Farm_Report.pdf).A peer-reviewed paper was published (Kica J, Rosenman KD. Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries. J Agromedicine. 2020 Jan;25(1):86-95). Both the report and publication are available at www.oem.msu.edu. Since January 2019, we have reviewed 1,401medical records and confirmed 548farm-related work-related injuries hospitalized or treated in an emergency room department. Since January 2019 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 fifty-sixindividuals with farm-related work-related injuries and to two individuals with farm-related (but not work-related) injury. Maintain Relationships and Work with AgrAbility Champions around the State Michigan AgrAbility has solicited local funding sources to assist impaired farmers; $20,000 was donated from Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, $3,600 from Sigma Alpha (raffle), Michigan Farm Bureau employees donated $9,550 to support Michigan AgrAbility and $4,179 was donated through individual giving. Over $220,000 in assistive technology was provided to farmers by Michigan Rehabilitative Services in 2019. There are 1,684 organizations and individuals that Michigan AgrAbility networks with and reaches out to in Michigan. MSU Heroes to Hives On 1/8/2020, Heroes to Hives created a video of Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility assistive technology professional (ATP), training beekeeper veterans to learn about ergonomics, secondary injury prevention, and assistive technology for beekeeping. https://youtu.be/Qyt71oNNMDw. The training was videoed and edited into a web-based training segment. Beekeepers from all around Michigan will now be able to learn about safe beekeeping methods. Ned Stollerwill conduct the training session live during the summer of 2020. Network with InterCare to Market to Migrant Workers Michigan AgrAbilitynetworked 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 AgrAbility. These included information on osteoarthritis, how to protect your joints/ergonomic tips in the workplace, and exercise sheets. On 1/17/2020, Ms. Garza completed range of motion assessments and manual therapy on Hispanic workers at Swiss Lane Dairy Farm in Alto, MI. She also distributed and discussed the use of shoe inserts, knee pads, and non-vibration gloves. On 2/20/2020, she revisited the farm to get feedback from the individuals of the educational program and equipment she provided. Michigan Food & Farming Systems 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 AgrAbility ATP Ned Stoller: Man lift trailer mounted from Life Essentials; Propel door sliding door opener; Overhead power shop door; Track Chair; Outbound Mobility 6-wheel wheelchair; Manual stand-up wheelchair; Manual wheelchair with left-hand only operation lever; John Deere Gator with hand controls; Tractor brake and clutch hand controls; Bin level indicator "Grain Gauge"; Covered wheelchair ramp into house from garage; ATV fertilizer spreader with Reese hitch quick release; ATV sprayer; PTO LINK quick connect; Three-point quick hitch with hydraulic top link; Grain feeder wagon; Hydraulic hose handles; Spinner peg and knobs for steering wheels; Flexible rubber bottom step on tractor; Knee pads; Wrist brace and lifting hooks; 90 degree handle broom, hammer, & garden tools; Velcro grip gloves; Anti-vibration gloves; Air-cell seat cushion; Ergonomic orchard picking bag; Backpack harness for weed eater or pole saw; Soil sampler with long handle; and Heated and insulated repair shop. Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to Market to Veterans Bev Berens, AgrAbility Case Manager, is on the advisory board for the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) - Michigan 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, MSU Vets to Ag Program and Heroes to Hives. As proposed by Michigan AgrAbility, Michigan Farm Bureau approved language updates in support of veterans in their Agricultural Vocational Rehabilitation policy. In May 2019, Michigan AgrAbility presented a webinar for beginning farmers in the Farmers Veteran Coalition to address physical demands of farming as an occupation. It was hosted by MSU Extension and the FVC. AgrAbility contributed input into policy formulation that increased FVC's network of veterans and veteran organizations. AgrAbility exhibited at a veterans' expo and provided information on services available to veterans as a guest speaker at the Northern Michigan Veterans Community Action Team meeting. AgrAbility will be present and participate in an FVC planned soil health workshop during summer 2020. Assistance Since September 1, 2019, Ned Stoller, ATP, and Andrea Garza, COTA, assisted 126 farm clients with disabilities; 41 were new. Twenty-six case closing and 64 evaluation surveys were competed. Mr. Stoller conducted 69 farm site evaluation visits and Ms. Garza trained four migrant workers. Twenty-seven farmers were referred to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) and Independent Living Center. Thirty-six farmers had assistive technology purchased by MRS or donated to them via Easterseals Michigan. In 2019, the value of the assistive devices provided to farmers was over $220,000. We responded to 58calls on the Michigan AgrAbility toll-free line. On 12/12/2019, the Michigan AgrAbility Farmer Panel met to provide feedback to the Michigan AgrAbility program. Annual Survey results from 2017 and 2018, Case Closing Survey responses, Quality of Life Surveys and Outreach activities were discussed. On 12/19/2019 MSU randomly picked two Michigan AgrAbility clients, who completed the 2017 and 2018 Annual Surveys, to receive $100 Carhartt gift cards as a "thank you" for completing the Annual Survey. Funds ($100) were donated to be able to provide a similar incentive for completion of the 2019 Annual Survey. Collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health The Michigan Center for Rural Health has distributed AgrAbility materials to their statewide members.

Publications

Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

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 and veterans with disabilities interested in agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Bev Berens, the AgrAbility Case Manager, and Ned Stoller, ATP, attended the three day National AgrAbility Training Workshop in Lincoln, Nebraska in March 2019. 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 Twitter account (https://twitter.com/farmeasier?lang=en), a Pinterest account (https://www.pinterest.com/MichAgrAbility/) and videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAvhxXy6BHvsl5KSLVZNQ). Michigan AgrAbility has 737 Facebook likes; sent 515 tweets with 390 following and 332 followers and 1 like; 18 boards/categories; 1,455 pins; 137 followers on Pinterest and 40,574 views on YouTube for 60 videos; with 2 new videos this year with 116 views. There was one monthly e-newsletter coordinated with social media and a website: August 2018 The Andersons; A Company that Cares, and an end of the year mailing: Michigan AgrAbility News May, 2018 Year In Review (1,514 recipients). Michigan AgrAbility and Michigan Rehabilitation Services held a live facebook event on June 28, 2019 at a farm in Casco, Michigan. The video reached 1,311 people and has been viewed 582 times. Ned Stoller presented a webinar on farming with shoulder injuries as part of the 2019 AgrAbility Virtual National Training Workshop on January 30, 2019. Ned Stoller gave a radio interview for WIN 98.5 Your Country Radio about the Michigan AgrAbility on October 24, 2018. Michigan Farm News 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 2000 agricultural related organizations. An electronic version is posted as well to 15,000 users. The Michigan Farm News printed a full color advertisement in the main section of their paper 10 times in 2017-2018 on behalf of AgrAbility. They have committed to continuing this valuable in-kind support. Presentations/Display Booths Michigan AgrAbility made 19 presentations, had 21 display booths and attended 35 conferences/trade shows/meetings: Farmer Veteran Coalition and MSU Extension meeting, Eastern Michigan University, GVSU Physical Therapy Student Seminar, Michigan Safety Conference, Stuart Farm Field Day, Intercare Migrant Worker Medical Bus, AGR Hog Roast, MRS Farm Rehab Champion meeting, Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Expo, MSU Extension IPM meeting, MI Shepherd Weekend, Fort Wayne Farm Show, Beginning Farmer Webinar Series, National AgrAbility Virtual NTW, AGR Beef Preview, AGR House Presentation, AG For Tomorrow Conference, Kiwanis Farmer Appreciation, Franks Crop Watch, Michigan Shepherd Symposium, FVC annual meeting, MI Beef Producers, Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, MIFFS Small Farms Conference, Michigan Pork Producers Association, State FFA Convention, AgrAbility National Training Workshop, Michigan Farm Bureau annual meeting, FVC national annual meeting (Kansas City, KS), DFA State Annual Clare, GLEXPO, FVC State meeting, Heroes to Hives, and a Farm Tour (Casco, MI). There were 27,919 attendees. There were a total of806 brochures and 256 business cards distributed. News Media about Michigan AgrAbility Public Relations Material submitted to Aida Balsano, USDA: 1) Michigan AgrAbility August 2018 Newsletter: The Andersons; A Company That Cares (9/28/2018); 2) Michigan AgrAbility News: May, 2018 Year In Review; 3) As farmers keep working longer experts worry about ag industry's future (Andrew Soerger, Detroit News,7/20/2019) E-Notes submitted to Charles Baldwin (National AgrAbility Program (NAP) E-Note Coordinator, Purdue University): Ten Michigan E-Notes: September 2018, October 2018, November 2018, December 2018, January 2019, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, and July 2019. Email Listing Michigan AgrAbility maintained and expanded an email list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. There are 1,742 entities on the list. Beginning Farmers Michigan AgrAbility joined 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. MIFFS was the founding organization of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Michigan Chapter. Michigan AgrAbility had a display booth at the MIFFS Small Farms Conference in February 2019. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Future plans by year are outlined below: Data Collection, Marketing, Education, years 1,2,3,4 Gather ag-specific work related injury data from Michigan hospitals, contact those patients, follow up with education & assistance, tailor marketing and education efforts accordingly. Farm Site Assessments, Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 Agricultural Engineer will meet farmer at his farm and evaluate situation, then follow up with appropriate assistance. Customer Case Management, Assistance, networking, years 1,2,3,4 Assist EMS-ATP with follow up communications to related parties and customers regarding product options & cost, corrections to reports, other programs that could help (i.e. farm operation info, independent living), MRS funding, low interest loans, etc. National AgrAbility NTW, Networking, years 1,2,3,4 Attend the National AgrAbility Training Workshop as required by the grant. Printed literature & postage, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Manage branded literature, brochures, business cards, newsletters. Trade Shows, Marketing, networking, education, years 1,2,3,4 Participate in the Michigan Ag Expo, Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Growers Expo, Michigan Health Expo. and UP State Fair. Rural Health rehabilitation professionals networking, Networking, marketing, education, years 1,2,3,4 Collaborate with the Michigan Rural Health Network and Michigan Rehabilitation Services counsellors to share AgrAbility materials statewide. Maintain AgrAbility website & social media, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Manage electronic outreach. Toll free phone line, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain toll-free phone line and AgrAbility receptionist. Michigan Farm News AgrAbility Advertisement, Marketing, years 1,2,3,4 Print advertisement in each issue of the Michigan Farm News. Agricultural professionals network, Networking, marketing, education, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain list of all Michigan Farm businesses, cooperatives, MSU extension specialists, and commodity organizations. Correspond regularly with them via quarterly newsletter, e-newsletter, social media. AgrAbility champion network, Networking, years 1,2,3,4 Maintain relationships and work together with AgrAbility champions around the state. Michigan Rehabilitation Services partnership, Assistance, years 1,2,3,4 When a farmer needs funding to purchase assistive technology, the ESM-ATP will refer him/her to Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Evaluation, Networking, assistance, years 1,2,3,4 Evaluate activities of AgrAbility for effectiveness. Activities include meeting with a farmer review panel, annual surveys of customers, and case closing surveys. Migrant Farm Workers outreach, Networking, marketing, year 2 Distribution of Spanish literature through other migrant health services and through Farm Bureau ALSS department. Outreach to veterans with disabilities who are farming, Networking, marketing, year 3 Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to market to veterans. Secondary Injury Prevention Presentation, Education, year 3 to 4 Education module during all farm safety presentations focusing specifically on secondary injury prevention. Secondary Injury Prevention Training, Education, years 3 to 4 As part of every farm assessment, train farm client and other workers on the farm regarding prevention of secondary injury for various disability types: low vision, mobility, arm/hand, neck/back, hearing, respiratory, strength/endurance. Secondary Injury Prevention Accommodations funding, Networking, assistance, years 3 to 4 Determine if there are local funding sources to help improve farm safety regarding secondary injury prevention for AgrAbility customers, i.e. roll over bar funding for older tractors, stair railings. Farm Employment for People with Disabilities training module, Education, networking, year 4 Include module in farm program trainings to educate farms on how to hire and accommodate the worksite for workers with disabilities. Network with farm operators seeking to hire such workers. MSU Engineering Capstone Project, Networking, years 1,2,3 Identify an engineering challenge that would help an AgrAbility customer, communicate that to the capstone class advisor, give students input on design parameters, help arrange additional funding from Michigan corporate sponsor when needed.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Agricutural 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 published a report on occupational farm-related injuries in Michigan: "Work-Related Farm Injuries in Michigan: First Report (January 2015-December 2016). 5/4/2018". A peer-reviewed publication "Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries" was published in the Journal of Agromedicine in May 2019. Both the report and publication are available at www.oem.msu.edu. Since January 2018, we have reviewed 1,743 medical records and confirmed 637 farm-related work-related injuries hospitalized or treated in an emergency room department. Since January 2018 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 sixty-six individuals with farm-related work-related injuries and to four individuals with farm-related (but not work-related) injury. Maintain Relationships and Work with AgrAbility Champions around the State Michigan AgrAbility has solicited local funding sources to assist impaired farmers; $13,480 was donated from the Anderson's (the Foundation and annual golf outing), Michigan Farm Bureau employees donated $9,811 to support Michigan AgrAbility and $270 was donated through individual giving. Over $240,000 in assistive technology was provided to farmers by Michigan Rehabilitative Services in 2018. There are 1,742 organizations and individuals that Michigan AgrAbility networks with and reaches out to in Michigan. MSU Heroes to Hives On June 29, 2019, Heroes to Hives coordinated a training for beekeeper veterans to learn about ergonomics, secondary injury prevention, and assistive technology for beekeeping. The trainingwas professionally videoed and will be edited into a web-based training segment. This will enable beekeepers from all around Michigan to learn about healthy beekeeping methods. Ned Stoller, the Michigan AgrAbility ATP conducted the training session. Network with InterCare to Market to Migrant Workers Michigan AgrAbilitynetworked 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. InterCare staff translated the Michigan AgrAbility fact sheet into Spanish. Michigan AgrAbility literature, including the Spanish language booklet on arthritis, was given to the InterCare. InterCare will distribute the literature at migrant housing camps when they do the health screenings and refer appropriate clients to Michigan AgrAbility for services. Ned Stoller, the assistive technology professional, made a presentation to InterCare staff and migrant farm workers at an on-farm medical clinic in September 2018. Network with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to Market to Veterans Bev Berens, AgrAbility Case Manager, was on the advisory board for the Farmer Veteran Coalition - Michigan 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. As proposed by Michigan AgrAbility, Michigan Farm Bureau approved language updates in support of veterans in their Agricultural Vocational Rehabilitation policy. Michigan AgrAbility presented a webinar for beginning farmers in the Farmers veteran Coalition to address physical demands of farming as an occupation in May 2019. It was hosted by MSU Extension and the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Assistance These pasteleven months, Ned Stoller, the assistive technology professional, has assisted 118 farm clients with disabilities, 41 are new. Twenty-two case closing and fourty-five evaluation surveys were competed. He conducted 55 farm site evaluation visits. Eighteen farmers were referred to Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS) or Independent Living Center. Seventeen farmers had assistive technology purchased by MRS or donated. Total assistive device value was over $240,000 in 2018. We responded to89 calls on the Michigan AgrAbility toll-free line. Collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health The Michigan Center for Rural Health has distributed AgrAbility materials to their statewide members.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: "Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries". Journal of Agromedicine. Published online: 2 May 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2019.1606746
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Presentation at the 2019 Michigan Safety Conference: "Work-Related Agricultural Injuries/Fatalities and How AgrAbility Helps Prevent Secondary Injuries". Grand Rapids, April 17, 2019