Performing Department
Center for Profitable Agricult
Non Technical Summary
Non-Technical Summary In the US, farmers consistently rank second among laborers with disabilities from work-related injuries. According to the USDA, more than 200,000 farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers acquire occupational injuries each year that limit their ability to perform essential work tasks. Farm safety education efforts of TNAP aim to reduce injuries and illnesses on farms and provide services/education that can help these farmers get back to doing what they love to do.TNAP is the only TN entity providing technical assistance and specialized education for farmers with disabilities. TNAP introduced National AgrAbility Project resources to TN partners. Partnerships with rehabilitation, health and agricultural professionals increased the capacity to recognize needs and accommodate farmers so they can continue to farm.TNAP on-site assessments help to identify barriers, recommend appropriate assistive technologies and adaptive tools; modify work practices, equipment modifications, gain access to informational and educational materials, provide information for training opportunities through conferences, workshops and online programs, and give referrals to appropriate service providers and peer support opportunities.TNAP's past efforts have provided direct, on-site education and assistance to 1,283 farmers, farm workers and their family members that have disabilities in Tennessee since 1994. The goal is to serve at least 50 new farmers with disabilities annually with on-site home and workplace assessments and development of Plans of Action to increase independence, quality of life and sustainability of the farming enterprise, plus education for professionals and the general public.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
Goal/ObjectivesThe Work Plan of the 2021 - 2025 Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TNAP) incorporates the four Priority Areas specified as Direct Assistance, Education, Networking and Marketing. As the specific components of the Work Plan were formulated, additional input was sought from the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) and other states' AgrAbility Project staff. The Work Plan objectives were selected to deliver requirements of the priority areas and to incorporate the successes obtained and lessons learned from past activities of TNAP and other states' AgrAbility Projects. TNAP references the National AgrAbility Project resources and will consult with NAP as needed for guidance.DIRECT ASSISTANCE PRIORITY AREA 1Direct assistance to farmers is the cornerstone of TNAP. This is accomplished by providing on-site work and home assessments. This direct assistance priority includes multidisciplinary on-site reviews of the operation to develop recommendations for on-farm operation planning, accessibility, life activities, AT guidance and advocacy on obtaining needed technical and financial aid. The direct assistance priority satisfies AgrAbility farmers' immediate needs that are inadequately addressed by health, farm, and government service providers. TNAP seeks to deliver individualized services that aid to increase the farmer's success.Objective 1.a. Provide direct, on-site assistance to farmers, farm workers and their family members with disabilities and returning veterans with disabilities, to help them attain independence and economic security.Activity 1.a. Provide on-site assessments, AT consultation, and plan development for farmers and farm workers with disabilities and their families. TNAP will collaborate with relevant agricultural and health professionals to develop a Plan of Action for farmers that promotes independence, enhanced quality of life and sustainability of the farming enterprise.Activity 1.b.1. Collaborate with FVC of TN and other veteran programs to increase assistance to veterans with agricultural endeavors.Activity 1.b.2. Expand the scope of services to include assisting veterans with disabilities, especially in rural areas, to obtain employment.EDUCATION PRIORITY AREA 2The education priority area encompasses awareness of disabilities and agricultural occupations, the ATs and other means farmers with disabilities can adapt to increase independence, safety, and productivity. TNAP will deliver innovative educational programs designed to advance capabilities, adapt new technologies, and deliver quality/educational program content.Objective 2.a: Educate farmers with disabilities, health professionals, Extension staff and other agriculture professionals about available rural technical assistance, health and disability resources.Activity 2.a: Increase awareness and knowledge of disabilities and assistive technologies.Objective 2.b: Increase health and rehabilitation providers' understanding of agriculture as a self-employment occupation and approaches to increasing independence and productivity among farmers, farm workers and their families with disabilities.Activity 2.b.1: TNAP will collaborate with Tennessee Department of Vocational RehabilitationActivity 2.b.2: TNAP will work with STAR Center to increase referrals of veterans with disabilities and funding from VA/VR&E.Activity 2.b.3: Deliver agricultural disabilities awareness and solutions training to future health professionals at Tennessee universities and colleges with Occupational Therapy (OT)/Physical Therapy (PT) and OT/PT Assistant programs plus Engineer Programs.Objective 2.c. Collaborate with AgriCenter International, VA/VR&E, Tennessee Military Department, TN Department of Agriculture, TN Farm Bureau and other TN Government entities to retrain veterans with disabilities for farming careers.Activity 2.c.1: Present workshops for veteran farmers and refer to appropriate education and assistance resources.Activity 2.c.2: Promote the AgriCenter's International program of Veterans Employed in Technology and Service in Agriculture (VETS in AG or VETSA) program of NIFA Ag Vets grant.Objective 2.d: Provide direct education for farmers with disabilities, farm workers and their families and the general public.Activity 2.d.1: TNAP partners conduct education and awareness activities for the general public, especially in settings frequented by farmers, to deliver information and generate referrals to the AgrAbility Project with a new emphasis on contacting women farmers.Activity 2.d.2 - Addressing Behavioral Health.Activity 2.d.3: Horticultural Therapy, Agri Therapy and Veterans.Activity 2.d.4: Introduce AgrAbility to FFA and 4-H youth and educators with NAP Assistive Technology (AT) Curriculum for Rural Youth resource and Bridging Horizons contest.NETWORKING PRIORITY AREA 3The networking priority area relies on educational efforts that engage associations to get referrals, to facilitate information sharing, the provision of services, and possible funding. The goal is to form collaborations with farmers, peer supporters, volunteer groups, university student groups, stakeholders, and public and private funding organizations. Donated goods and services of direct benefit to customers fulfills needs that cannot be met using NIFA and university resources. Economic value of goods and services rendered should be calculated and records kept.Objective 3. Increase collaborations with individuals and organizations who advocate for farmers with disabilities.Activity 3.a. TNAP will build and strengthen relationships with agricultural and health organizations, disability service providers, peer network volunteers, and other organizations to support and provide the most comprehensive services to AgrAbility customers and their families.Activity 3.b. TNAP will continue to develop and expand Peer Support Networks to include veteran to veteran support and mentorships.Activity 3.c. Increase funding development to assist in the purchase of assistive technology for TNAP customers.MARKETING PRIORITY AREA 4Marketing efforts of the Tennessee AgrAbility Project will increase awareness of our program, inform stakeholders and potential customers, thereby leading to new educational opportunities for staff and farmers with disabilities. The ability to effectively market our program is valuable. It is an integral part to all activities and involves a combination of methods that include, social media, direct emails, exhibits at agricultural field days, presence at Extension meetings, in-service training for professionals, promotional materials at Extension offices and word-of-mouth. TNAP is increasing its social media and online presence with a new website, our non-profit partner STAR Center along with their website and Twitter. TNAP will work with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the State Technical Advisory Committee and Civil Rights/Special Emphasis Program Managers Committee to make them aware of the programs and services we offer. We will also work with the NRCS Disability Emphasis and Veterans Emphasis Program Managers by placing promotional posters in NRCS field offices. Our evaluation of these marketing efforts will include tracking contacts, AgrAbility referrals, website analytics, and self-reported sources of information used by AgrAbility audiences.
Project Methods
MethodsTSU Cooperative Extension Program delivers AgrAbility programs to small and disadvantaged farmers. Beginning farmers contacting AgrAbility are referred to the Tennessee New Farmer Academy and other UT/TSU educational Extension programs. Other ways TNAP contacts additional farmer groups include:Farmer Veterans with Disabilities- personal contacts, farm visits, monthly meetings with FVC board members, contacts with local Extension agents, social and print media and advisory board of TNAP.• Women Farmers with Disabilities - personal contacts, farm visits, contacts through local Extension agents, contacts through USDA Service Centers (NRCS/FSA) and advisory board of TNAP.• Young Adults with Disabilities - TN 4-H, TN FFA, Collegiate 4-H and FFA clubs/chapters, TN transition services youth with disabilities, local Extension agents and advisory board of TNAP.Overall education will be provided in several ways including, group meetings, workshops, exhibits at agricultural events, on-line resources, personal visits, calls and emails.Assistance to farmers, farm workers and their family members with disabilities will be by direct contact, on-site visits and follow-up. This will be done to identify current needs, note resources available and to establish goals to develop a plan to meet evaluation criteria.Evaluation instruments will be used in almost all educational programming. These instruments will include among other things, pre/post test surveys, on-site documentation, survey comments, third-party observations, practices changed/adopted and other instruments as developed.