2016 AgrAbility
National Training
Workshop

New Staff Training

This session gives an overview of the AgrAbility Program for new staff members or those wanting a refresher. Some topics covered include a perspective from the USDA, the role of the National Project, resources available, evaluation procedures, and sources of help inside and outside AgrAbility. Participants will also have opportunities to network with one another, NAP staff members, and USDA contacts.

Reducing the Risk of Secondary Injury and Enhancing Emergency Preparedness for AgrAbility Clientele

This professional development session will focus on the problem of secondary injuries including occupation-related deaths and their impact on agricultural producers and workers. Additional topics include emergency preparedness for people with disabilities in rural areas and farm safety issues, such as tractor safety. The fee for this session is $25.00

Offsite Training: Assessment Training at the Colorado State University (CSU) Agricultural, Research, Development, and Education Center (ARDEC)

Practical training on conducting worksite assessments at ARDEC, the 1000+ acre research farm at CSU. There will be a $40 fee to attend this session which includes a copy of the Worksite Assessment Tool.

Offsite Tour: Colorado State University (CSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Equine Reproductive Facility

The CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital is a full service facility offering services to small animals, livestock, equine, and exotic animals. The tour will begin at the teaching facility and then move to the Equine Reproductive facility located at the Foothills Campus. The CSU Veterinary Hospital is well known for cancer research, cardiology, and equine research. There will be a $30 fee to attend this session.

Opening Reception

Light refreshments will be served.
Dinner is on your own.

Opening Session

Welcome

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Temple Grandin
Dr. Grandin is a professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. She was diagnosed with autism as a child and her parents were told that she should be institutionalized. Dr. Grandin has since become a successful livestock-handling equipment designer, prominent author, and speaker on the subjects of autism and cattle handling (www.templegrandin.com).

Conference Instructions

Project Director (PI) Session

USDA program leaders will meet with SRAP principal investigators for questions, answers, and discussion.

Outdoor Buddies Programs for Disabled Persons and Youth

This session will discuss outdoor recreational and educational opportunities available through the Outdoor Buddies program. Participants will also see demonstrations of adaptive equipment used in outdoor activities for people with disabilities.

What I've Learned from Raising Sheep for 33 Years

When Kerri Ebert is not at work as the Kansas AgrAbility Project Coordinator, she's at home on a small farm, 160 acres to be exact, where she and her husband raise sheep. Their flock is currently around 150 head of meat-type purebred sheep including Hampshires, Dorsets, Horned Dorsets, Shropshires, and Suffolks. They have had as many as 300 ewes over the years. Kerri grew up on a diversified cattle and row crop farm, but married a sheep producer 33 years ago. There was a bit of a learning curve when she started and the learning hasn't stopped since. Sheep production can be enjoyable and frustrating, enlightening and enraging, fun and demoralizing on any given day. Kerri and her husband have experimented with a lot of different barn, feeding, and handling systems and she will discuss how she has learned from her experiences to give you ideas for your own farm.

Farming with Autism

Jesse Bell started with AgrAbility 10 years ago when he was 25 and living on the family farm. This session will discuss how the farm assessment recommendations have been incorporated and how family support and safety measures can be used to ensure a safe and secure family farm business.

Cowboy Poetry and Rural Mental Health: How Many Pick-Ups in Your Parking Lot?

This session will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear about and participate in a discussion on mental health in rural Colorado with an emphasis on unique cultural factors that influence mental health in rural communities. The presentation looks at the changes over time to the venues and assets around mental health in rural Colorado and the challenges. The presenters will briefly describe a new community-based program developed by local rural community members in partnership with mental health professionals and researchers that supports people to be ready for others' mental health needs. The session includes ample time for an open discussion on mental health needs, ways individuals and communities can support mental health in today's rural world, and general reaction to the presentation.

Jack Westfall,
High Plains Research Network

Linda Zittleman,
High Plains Research Network

The Economics of Direct Marketing Meat

This session will cover aspects of raising beef, pork, lamb, chicken and eggs to make a profit and the challenges and pitfalls involved with value-added livestock production. It will show farmers the possibility for added income for the survival of the farm.

Urban Agriculture: Growing and Selling Specialty Crops

This session will briefly introduce the production and marking aspects of starting an urban vegetable farming operation and all the challenges that come with such a risky endeavor. The audience will learn that in addition to the challenges that all agriculture producers face, urban agriculture also faces unique challenges such as increased risk because of small size, high land costs, and access to affordable water. While at the same time urban ag may have some advantages such as proximity to markets and educational/agritourism opportunities.

Working Effectively with the Farm Media

Cheryl Tevis brings three decades of experience as an editor and writer for Successful Farming magazine reaching over 500,000 farm families nationwide with each issue. She will address the potential impact farm publications can have and how to get your story into these publications.

Unconferencing* Session: AgrAbility Tips from the Field

Planning, promoting, implementing, evaluating and reporting for an AgrAbility program has actions and ideas that are effective. This session is designed for individuals to present programming efforts that worked well (and maybe those that didn't) with the hope that some will be used or adapted by other SRAPs across the country. Come share your successes and ideas!

Assistive Technology (AT) Show-and-Tell

This session will be a show-and-tell with various suppliers of assistive technologies applicable to farmers and ranchers with disabilities. AT suppliers currently scheduled for this session include:

• Bird Saddles offers a wide variety of handmade custom saddles, including ranch saddles, trophy saddles and the Randy Bird Therapy Saddle which was developed while keeping the rider, and their safety, at the forefront of the design.
• DB Mower Innovations manufactures the DONBAR which is a bar that can be added to a zero-turn lawnmower to give users something to hold onto for better balance when climbing on/off or to help them stand.
• DisABILITY Work Tools makes adaptive tools readily available so people can independently perform hands-on tasks in spite of injury, aging, or disabling condition.
• Farm Arm is a student mechanical engineering project that aims to assist those who have lost limbs with the challenge of operating machinery.

Can You Dig It? Making Gardening Activities More Accessible to People with Disabilities

This session will focus on different methods and modifications for gardening with a disability. Different types of garden tools and modifications will be explored, including what's available commercially vs. homemade for individuals with physical, vision, hearing, and cognitive impairments. Instructions will be provided for various homemade adaptations. Resources for commercially available equipment will also be distributed. This session will also include the presentation of the newest AgrAbility resource, the Arthritis and Gardening booklet. Attendees will each receive a copy of this new publication.

Un-manned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) as Assistive Technology

While many people use UAV's for crop scouting, aerial photography, and for fun, this session will cover an alternative use: a UAV as assistive technology. Experiments at UW-Madison have found that UAV's can be helpful for checking fences and cattle eliminating long distance walking on uneven terrain. For those with mobility issues, this technology can make a big difference in their everyday routine. The session will also cover the regulations on the use of drones and the details on how to use them.

Utilizing GoPro and Tablet Technologies for AgrAbility Clients

The session will present information on the benefits of using GoPro and tablet-type devices for individuals with sight impairments and limited range of neck and back motion. There will be a demonstration of the features and functionality of the technology for farm application. The presentation will showcase the mobility and versatility of the GoPro and tablet-type devices on multiple types of equipment and other farm tasks.

Adaptable Jeans for those in Wheelchairs

This session will identify and explain the features of adaptable jeans and how those with a spinal cord injury can benefit from them. Other articles of clothing that fit the needs of those with spinal cord injuries will also be discussed.

Arthritis and Youth: Introducing a New Teaching Resource for Prevention and Safety

The National AgrAbility Project and the Arthritis Foundation have researched the educational needs of educators to instruct rural and farm youth on the hazards of osteoarthritis at any age. A set of two curriculum lesson plans has been produced, complete with lab activities and evaluation methods. Additionally, an online learning module is also being created. These lesson plans were pilot-tested by Indiana Agricultural Educators and were finalized using their input. These lesson plans are compatible with any age group, and include research-proven data and facts related to arthritis. Attendees of this session will receive a copy of the two youth lesson plans. This session will ask participants to help review and edit this set of lesson plans to ensure that it is the best fit for all audiences and users.

Legacy Planning - Why It Is Important

This presentation will address both estate planning and succession management. Some of the tools and techniques used by estate attorneys will be addressed as well as who you should include in your planning team and why.

AgrAbility Evaluation and Impact Study

The National AgrAbility Project (NAP) evaluation team will provide a brief review of the primary areas of evaluation that each are involved in which include client demographics, McGill Quality of Life data, NAP project staff evaluation, and needs assessment. The team will also discuss the value this data provides for the whole program and to each state project. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to bring up questions or issues they may have regarding the evaluation efforts as well as their own state evaluation issues.

Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture

In this discussion, we will examine the importance of natural systems and how their influence can dictate our agricultural practices. Regenerative methods allow us to build soil health that will yield nutrient dense food and maintain ecological diversity within the environment. We will examine current systems and provide examples of regenerative farms while also looking at the benefits of these practices.

Military 101 - Understanding Military Culture

Outreach to disabled military veterans may be made more difficult if you don't understand the basics of the US military and their history, customs and culture. Understanding may help to remove the barriers to developing and maintaining relationships and rapport with our veteran farmers. We will also discuss the most common disabilities of Post 9/11 combat veterans and ways in which we can best work with them.

Unconferencing* Session: Assistive Technology: User Meaning vs. Caregiver Meaning Often Isn't the Same

Assistive technology devices are often identified to help AgrAbility clients. However, for their family and/or caregivers, the assistive technology may have a different representative meaning such as independence, efficient, safety, or a sense of relief and found time. Adoption of assistive technology can succeed or fail based on perceptions about the technology, social, financial or other issues. In this unconferencing session caregivers and AgrAbility clients will have the opportunity to share about how they arrived at an assistive technology choice and what helped that choice be successful.

Dinner

On your own

Breakfast

Evaluation Committee Meeting
Assistive Technology Community of Interest Meeting

General Session

Address by Lanon Baccam, USDA Military Liason

Preview of upcoming video of Farmer Veterans

Question and Answer Session

Sustainability of AgrAbility Projects

Government funding is not a promise, and increases in funding are not likely to match increased expenses. Hear about financial sustainability, what it is, why it is necessary, and how to accomplish it with your project. Learn about resources such as in-kind support, volunteer staff, or shared resources, and how they can play a role in your success and sustainability.

Following the presentation, an unconferencing session will allow for idea-sharing among participants. Share your ideas, your challenges, and what has worked! Learn from others as they share their stories.

The Value of a Stock Dog to Complete Your Farm/Ranch Work

The value of a working stock dog is priceless. The chores that a good herding dog can help you achieve are many, according to small farmers who are currently using canine helpers to manage their livestock. Small farms throughout the world use herding dogs to get livestock chores done quickly and efficiently, and have done so for thousands of years.

This presentation is to designed to encourage people to select a dog (breed) best suited for their tasks. It will also expose people to the many different tasks that dogs can help with, dispel some myths of herding dogs, demonstrate working abilities in border collies, and introduce people to the training and handling aspects of working dogs. Attendees will also learn how to find resources to choose dogs and to get help with training those dogs.

Cathy Balliu,
Mountain and Plains Border Collie Association

Caring for the Caregiver

Every day hundreds of farmers experience debilitating injuries resulting in permanent disabilities. Instantly spouses, parents, and children suddenly become caregivers. Whether caregiving is enriching or a burden, negative emotions and burnout can quickly handicap a family. This session will spotlight the warning signs of burnout, coping techniques for caregiving stressors, strategies for nurturing family relationships, suggestions for successful changes in roles, and assistive technology that can assist the caregiver. Information will be presented from an agricultural perspective to convey an appreciation for the values and customs of farming communities as well as the challenges these characteristics present for a family adjusting to the presence of a disability.

Women's Growing Role in Agriculture

In an industry once dominated by men, women are becoming much more prevalent in today's agriculture landscape. This session will discuss women's growing roles in agriculture and how new technologies have made farming easier for both women and men alike and the opportunities that have opened up for women.

Angie Daly,
Hi-Plains Ag Education Teacher

How Animals Help People Learn, Grow, and Heal - The Power of the Human-Animal Connection

This talk introduces the varied ways animal-assisted, nature-based interventions provided in a ranch setting can be therapeutic for people experiencing disability and brain injury. Animal-assisted interventions will be defined and the rationale for and benefits of using animals in therapy will be discussed. The future of this rapidly growing field will be summarized.

Lisa Kramer,
Hope Farms Project

Patriot Guardens

Patriot Guardens is an initiative between the West Virginia National Guard, West Virginia State University Extension Service, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to pool resources together that will create a system to assist West Virginians, particularly but not limited to veterans and guardsmen, build agriculture businesses. The goal of this project is to educate participants in an Ag Incubator setting, established at underutilized armories, where they learn the skills they need to venture into an ag-based business after gaining experience during a yearlong hands-on program. Session participants will learn about the program concept, educational opportunities offered to program participants and how the WV AgrAbility Program is working to collaborate in these efforts.

Melissa Stewart,
West Virginia AgrAbility

General HB Gilliam,
West Virginia National Guard

SAVE Training Farm: A Gap to Bridge

SAVE (Soldier Agriculture Vocational Education) Farm is a 100+ acre working farm and holistic training facility where transitioning soldiers and veterans can learn valuable vocational skills to meet the demand for agricultural ownership, employment, or to pursue other advanced schooling. The SAVE Farm features an adjacent clinic to promote and facilitate healing for those in need. The gap bridged by the SAVE Farm is the void between soldiers and veterans with a desire to farm and the farms in this country that need to transition to the next generation.

Gary LaGrange,
SAVE Training Farm

International Panel

Learn how farmers with disabilities are being served around the world. Specific case studies will be presented and overviews of how rehabilitation services are provided will be addressed. This session will be especially interesting to folks who are interested in an international dimension of rehabilitation programs for rural and farm families.

Assistive Technology (AT) Show-and-Tell

This session will be a show-and-tell with various suppliers of assistive technologies applicable to farmers and ranchers with disabilities. AT suppliers currently scheduled for this session include:

• Bump N’ Drive makes a kit that allows the farmer to open and close gates without getting out of the truck.
• GRIT Freedom Chair is an all-terrain wheelchair that was designed at MIT to be the most versatile all-terrain chair on the market.
• Life Essentials manufactures personal mobility products, custom-made people lifts, and hand controls for tractors, combines, trucks, off road equipment, vans, RVs, homes, and the list goes on and on.
• Take Action Mobility distributes the Action Trackchair which provides great traction in an all-terrain wheelchair.

Moderated by
Steve Swain,
National AgrAbility

Farming with Progressive Conditions - How to Fund Modifications

AgrAbility staff often work with farmers and ranchers who have progressive conditions. Staff need to consider the progressive nature of the disability when matching the appropriate modification or AT solution and when finding funding supports for these accommodations. A Kansas farm family will share the impact of receiving modifications over time on their operation and for their family. Kansas AgrAbility staff will share the five-point decision process that has been effective in obtaining funding for equipment and modifications from Kansas Rehabilitation Services and other public and private funding agencies and organizations.

Effective Outreach to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

Agricultural workers are a large population that can benefit greatly from AgrAbility services. This session will review outreach strategies and approaches to reach seasonal and migrant farmworker populations effectively. The focus will be on working examples of partnerships with community agencies, identifying appropriate outreach events, and building a community of professionals that can help AgrAbility professionals receive referrals for potential clients. Cultural humility will also be discussed as a base for closing gaps between service provider and client. And understanding the needs of farmworker populations (i.e. advocacy, occupational health education, small AT, self-help strategies, etc).

Esmeralda Mandujano,
CalAgrAbility

Forming State Chapters of FVC: A Panel Discussion

Join us for a panel discussion with veteran farmers who were instrumental in organizing and forming the 4 inaugural Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) state chapters. Learn how their experiences can help other states form FVC chapters.

Cindy Chastain,
National AgrAbility

Ken DeVan
FVC-KS

Jerry Ireland,
Maine FVC

Gary LaGrange,
FVC-KS

Jason Scramlin,
Michigan FVC

Jon Turner,
Vermont FVC

McGill QOL and ILW Levels: Experimental-Control Group Differences

Empirical research on what works to enhance the QOL and ILW levels of ranchers and farmers with disabilities is almost non-existent, especially with experimental-control group comparisons. In the present study, the presenter will discuss experimental-control group differences in participants’ pretest-post test changes in well-being. The experimental group consists of a sample of over 200 new farm and ranch clients with functional limitations who participated in AgrAbility in 10+ states (AR, CO, KS, NC, NE, OK, TX, VA, WV, and WI). The comparison control group consists of a sample of over 100 farmers and ranchers with functional limitations who did not participate in AgrAbility. Descriptions of both samples and a comparison of physical well-being, psychological well-being, existential well-being, support, and overall QOL and ILW levels will be presented. Participants will be able to brainstorm implications and practical steps that AgrAbility teams can take.

Working with Your 1890 Institution

An 1890s panel presentation and open discussion of how enhanced collaborations can be achieved to maximize AgrAbility's outreach to the clientele being served by these institutions.

Financial Assistance Available for Farmers

This session will focus on financial assistance available from the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA. The USDA has farm loan programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for both farm operating and farm ownership loans. The different types of loans that are available will be explained as well as the eligibility requirements. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will cover the conservation type programs that can assist farmers and ranchers. Fact Sheets and the Guide to FSA farm loans will be available.

Scott Miller,
Colorado FSA

Farming is Big Business - What Does Your Business Look Like?

Are you concerned about how to weather the hard times on your farm? With low commodity prices and high inputs becoming the norm, how do you measure the financial performance of your business? Learn how to measure your performance and what strategies you can utilize to improve your financial situation in this session.

Making the Switch to a Niche Market

Interested in exploring a value-added or niche product or service? This workshop will help you evaluate the feasibility of adding or shifting farm business enterprises. We will discuss limitations and opportunities involving business and family resources including land, labor and financial capital, and work through the important pieces of developing a business plan, offering examples of enterprises in Colorado. A panel discussion will offer input from producers who have been involved in niche production or marketing.

Jennifer Cook,
CSU Extension

Martha Sullins,
CSU Extension

Assisting with a State Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition: AgrAbility's Experiences with the Formation of New FVC Chapters

Kansas, Michigan, Vermont, and Maine AgrAbility had front row seats in the formation of Farmer Veteran Coalition state chapter. We will share how we became involved in the formation of the first four recognized FVC state chapters, how we continue to be involved, and how other SRAPs might be of assistance to FVC and other veteran/soldier-focused organizations in their state or region.

Kerri Ebert,
Kansas AgrAbility

Ned Stoller,
Michigan AgrAbility

Lani Carlson,
Maine AgrAbility

Financial Assistance Available for Farmer Veterans

This session will focus on financial assistance available from the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA concentrating on the veteran farm loan applicant. The various loan programs from the Farm Service Agency available to the veteran farm applicant will be explored. The different types of loans that are available will be explained as well as some application tips for veteran loan applicants. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will cover the conservation type programs that can assist veteran farmers and ranchers. Fact Sheets and the Guide to FSA farm loans will be available.

Dinner and Auction

Dinner

Keynote Speaker: Amberly Snyder, Barrel Racer and Motivational Speaker
Amberly is a barrel racer, breakaway roper, and motivational speaker who was injured in a car accident in 2010. She was told that she would never have a chance of recovery and that her rodeo days were over. A year and a half later, she figured out how she could continue to barrel race and has also picked up breakaway roping.

The AgrAbility Auction featuring products from several different states and donations from AT providers will follow the keynote address. Silent auction winners will be announced prior to the start of the live auction. All funds raised from the auction will support farmer/rancher stipends for 2017.

Auction donors include:

• DB Mower Innovations
• STIHL Incorporated
• LiftGator
• RZ Mask, LLC
• Wheelzbarrow
• MSF Farm LLC
• Big Sky Imagination
• Snow-N-Tell Inc. LLC
• Gateway Supply LLC

Tour A (Full-Day Tour with the Option to Leave at 12:00 pm)

Tour Craig Hospital in Denver. Craig is a world-renowned, premier center for specialty rehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury. Following the tour and lunch, participants who opted for the half-day tour will be taken to the Denver airport. The rest of the attendees will travel to Hope Farms. Hope Farms houses a farm-based day program designed to give people the opportunity to learn about caring for and handling animals, maintaining a farm, and planting, growing and harvesting crops.

Tour participants who wish to only participate in the morning tour will have the option to leave Craig at 12:30 p.m. and be taken to the Denver Airport. Everyone else will go on to the next tour stop and be taken back to the hotel by 5:00 p.m.

Tour C

This tour begins at Hearts to Horses, a facility whose mission is to promote the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of people with special needs through equine-assisted therapy. Next, participants will visit the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation which is operated by the USDA and is located on the CSU campus. Its mission is to acquire, preserve, and provide a national collection of genetic resources to secure the biological diversity that a sustainable US economy depends upon. Attendees will then visit the Bee Family Centennial Farm which was homesteaded by and remained in the Bee family for over 120 years. Attendees will enjoy learning about the Bee Family's history and the farming history of Northern Colorado. Last stop on this tour is the Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center (ARDEC) which is operated by CSU and consists of more than 1000 acres which houses many different ag-related research projects.