Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and ranchers with disabilities and their family members are the ultimate target audience. To increase capacity and services, agricultural professionals, health professionals, and students in agriculture and health are the target audience for many of the educational activities. General outreach efforts help spread information about the AgrAbility program and focus on agriculturalists and the general public in rural areas. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?AgrAbility of Utah staff attended the National Training Workshop in Las Cruces, NM, and mental health training events held in Utah. Other professional development activities addressing resiliency and stress management for producers are being pursued. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?AgrAbility of Utah staff participated in the Cache Valley Cheese and Dairy Festival, County Fairs, Health and Disability Resource Fairs, and Center for Independent (CIL) Community Outreach Events to get the information about AgrAbility to the broader public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?AgrAbility of Utah has had a successful second year, but there is still more to do. AgrAbility of Utah staff plan to continue with activities currently underway with a focus on the development of outreach and marketing materials. We also hope to hire a Resource Facilitator for the southern region so that we can better access producers in the remote areas in the southern region and help them obtain the services that they need.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
AgrAbility of Utah (AOU) staff made good progress towards our goals and objectives. ASSISTANCE: AOU is currently working with 75 farmers and ranchers from across the state. Eight new clients have signed on so far this year with more in process/expected before the year end. Information and referral has been provided to numerous others. AgrAbility utilizes the best practice models of case management and wrap-around service delivery. Although AOU primarily focuses on addressing AT needs, for the client to truly succeed, all limitations (e.g., home accessibility, aging services, etc.) should be addressed. Referrals to the appropriate service(s) are provided as needed. Most of our clients obtain funding assistance from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Items received so far this year are valued at ~$50,000, with another ~$71,000 currently in process. AOU is currently working with engineering students at BYU to develop a motorized harvest cart for individuals with mobility limitations. Assistance with mobility around the farm, livestock feeding and handling, and equipment and shop accessibility have been the most common requests. The modifications and assistive technology received help Utah's farmers and ranchers accomplish more work safely and with reduced pain and strain on the body. This lets them be more productive and efficient in their operations. We work closely with the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) utilizing many of their resources such as the Toolbox. AOU also participates in the NAP's Quality of Life (QOL) survey. Most of the famers we work with have expressed extreme gratitude for the equipment they received. Clients often comment to us that they didn't realize how much the AT could change their life. This is verified by the results of the QOL survey. We also help our clients with the VR process. For many this is a daunting task. Occasionally clients are denied services by VR. We work with the counselor to help explain why services are needed, and will help with the appeal process when warranted. Although most clients are found eligible for VR services, this year we had two clients that were denied services. AOU helped them successfully appeal VR's decision for denial of services and their cases are currently being processed. All clients are offered peer support services and are encouraged to attend the AgrAbility National Training Workshop. Peer support is available through the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and the Utah Association of Governments (AOGs). Additionally many of AOU's former clients are willing to provide peer support. EDUCATE: AOU staff have participated in 43 outreach and education events so far this year, with more on the calendar. Many of these events are directed at producers and help them understand that AT exists and how it can help them remain productive and on the farm. Educational events for producers are spread across the spectrum of agriculture including: beef cattle, dairy, swine, sheep, irrigated and dryland crop production, alfalfa hay production, and fruits and vegetables. A podcast for the AgWellness website was published, and factsheets have been developed. AOU staff are also working on other educational materials. Educational events for agricultural professionals and agricultural students are focused on helping them understand what AgrAbility can offer, how AT can make a difference in the producer's life, and the potential for farmers with disabilities to remain productive in agriculture. These groups help spread the word about AgrAbility. Many referrals come from agricultural professionals such as Extension agents, and NRCS and FSA staff. This year, presentations were made to students in FFA leadership roles and college agricultural students reaching over 1,300 students. Agricultural students often go back and report that information to their parents, family, and neighbors, and many become producers themselves. Getting people to realize that services are available, and that a disability doesn't have to limit one's ability to remain in agriculture, is an important part of helping our farmers and ranchers. Educational events for healthcare providers and rehabilitation specialists primarily focus on helping them understand that farmers and ranchers facing disabilities have great potential and that they can remain on the farm and be productive in agriculture. These educational events increase capacity. Without this understanding, health care professionals and rehabilitation specialists often direct producers away from agriculture as they don't understand the potential for producers to remain in their chosen profession. Due to the high turnover in many health care and rehabilitation professions, continued education of this group is needed. Highlights include the development and presentation of an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) webinar and the Farm Intensive Training (FIT) events. ECHO reaches primary care providers, specialty groups, and healthcare students; whereas the FIT events train VR counselors. In-depth FIT training events began in year 1 and continued in year 2. The FIT training goes into more detail highlighting the many forms of technology that are available and how AT can help producers remain productive, and in agriculture. Since most of our clients utilize VR to help pay for the AT, in-depth educational events on the AT that is available, and the nuances of the Utah VR Farm & Ranch policy are needed to help ensure a smooth process for our producers. The FIT trainings were well received and helped clarify the process for working with Utah's farmers and ranchers. NETWORK: Networking efforts continued in year 2. AOU continues to network with VR, the Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP), the Utah Center for Assistive Technology (UCAT), and the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP), the CILs, and veterans organizations. AgrAbility and VR leadership meet quarterly to address any barriers and ensure that Utah's farmers and ranchers are receiving the services they need. UATP provides many services that our clients utilize, such visual impairment assistance, the AT Loan bank, AT repair and modification, and low-interest loans. They have also recently started a mobile van that travels through the remote areas of southern Utah distributing AT from the loan bank and repairing AT. The mobile van reaches remote rural areas where many of our farmers and ranchers reside; and they are willing to help repair AT utilized by our producers. UCAT helps with some of the specialized modifications that our clients need. IDRPP offers small grants and low-interest loans, and has a program that offers gently used and refurbished mobility devices at minimal cost. Roads To Independence (RTI), our non-profit partner, is one of six CILs in Utah. RTI has great linkages to the CILs, and the services that they provide. AOU has conducted trainings about AgrAbility and the services provided at each of the CILs. Many of our farmers and ranchers and their family members benefit from the services offered by the CILs. AOU also works with veterans groups, and organizations and groups addressing stress, mental and behavioral health such as the Utah Farm Bureau, and Ag Wellness. MARKET: AOU uses marketing to promote the program and make others aware of the services provided to producers facing a disability or limiting condition. In the past year AoU has been featured in news articles by Utah Farm Bureau, Western Ag Credit, Farm Service Agency, and the Herald Journal. In addition to that, staff members have been interviewed by KMTI radio in Manti, Utah. AoU has a Facebook page which posts often, and participates in the NAP's Virtual Fair where states are featured for a day or a week. AgrAbility also participates in Health Fairs, County Fairs, and other public events to get information out to the general public.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and ranchers with disabilities and their family members are the ultimate target audience. To increase capacity and services, agricultural professionals, health professionals, and students in agriculture and health are the target audience for many of the educational activities. General outreach efforts to help spread information about the AgrAbility program focus on agriculturalists and the general public in rural areas. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?AgrAbility of Utah staff attended the National Training Workshop in Atlanta, GA, and mental health training events held in Utah. Other professional development activities are being pursued. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?AgrAbility of Utah staff have participated in Cache Valley Cheese and Dairy Festival, County Fairs, Disability Resource Fairs, and CIL Community Outreach Events to get the information about AgrAbility to the broader public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue with activities currently underway with a focus on the development of outreach and marketing materials.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
AgrAbility of Utah staff made good progress towards our goals and objectives. ASSISTANCE:Direct assistance to clients continues, with several new clients signing on this past year. AgrAbility of Utah is currently assisting a total of 71 clients and their families that are facing limitations due to injury, illness, or disability. Through on-site farm and home assessments, AgrAbility of Utah develops individualized plans that help producers and their families facing a disability remain in agriculture. These plans often involve working with other agencies and organizations, such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP), to help our clientele obtain the needed services or funding for assistive technology. Most of our clients work with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for funding assistance. We have had good success in obtaining assistive technology for our clients from VR (valued at ~$104,000 in 2023-24). Assistance with mobility around the farm, irrigation, and livestock feeding are the most common requests. The modifications and assistive technology received make a huge difference in the lives of those impacted by disability and the work that they can accomplish. EDUCATE: AgrAbility of Utah staff held five in-depth training events for rehabilitation specialists. The interactive sessions examined the use of assistive technology to help farmers and ranchers with disabilities remain in agriculture and some of the stumbling blocks encountered when working with VR. Great discussion ensued. Numerous outreach events targeting agricultural professionals, producers, and students have been conducted. Outreach activities emphasize that farmers and ranchers with disabilities have great potential and can continue to farm or ranch. Outreach to Native Americans has begun, including attendance and a booth at the Utah Native American Summit held in Salt Lake City, UT. A podcast for the AgWellness website has been recorded, and is currently being edited. It should be available in the near future. AOU staff are also working on other educational materials. NETWORK: AgrAbility of Utah continues to network with VR, the Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP), the Utah Center for Assistive Technology (UCAT), and the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP), the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and veterans organizations. The Project Director and Program Coordinator meet quarterly with VR administration, UATP, and IDRPP to address any barriers and ensure that Utah's farmers and ranchers are receiving the services they need. These quarterly meetings help keep things running smoothly and efficiently. AgrAbility of Utah staff have assisted with, and participated in, several CIL community outreach events, and are exploring a couple of new ways to work with veterans. MARKET: AgrAbility of Utah staff have developed articles for inclusion in the CIL newsletters. Popular press articles and other newsletter articles and venues are being developed.
Publications
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