GUIDANCE IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES TO 
OKLAHOMA FARMERS AND RANCHERS

Recommendations by Oklahoma AgrAbility & DRS AgrAbility Team First Edition, January 7, 2009 PDF

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One:

Introduction to Oklahoma Farm Industry
Snapshot of Farming in Oklahoma
Diversity of Farm Products and Producers
Myths about Farming
Farm Culture and Identity
Farm Routines and Work Environments
Farm Machinery and Tools
Farm Stress
Farmers and Disability
Behavioral Health Risks
Rural Health Issues

Chapter Two: 

Case Management Needs
Role of Vocational Rehabilitation and Eligibility
Determining Cost Share
Self-Employment or Retention
Measuring Employment Outcomes for Farmers
Agricultural Business Options

Chapter Three: 

Potential Needs of Agricultural Clients
Assessment
Counseling and Guidance
Rehabilitation Technology
Farm Access Issues and Solutions
Funding
Alternative Financing Program and Access to Telework
Social Security Work Incentives
SSDI work Incentives
SSI work Incentives

Chapter Four: 

Oklahoma Resources for Agri-Business
Career Tech
Institute for Dispute Resolution
Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension
Oklahoma State University Robert M Kerr Food and Agriculture Product Center
Oklahoma State University-Langston University
Oklahoma State University IFMAPS
Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
US Department of Agriculture-Rural Development
Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
Social Security Administration-Oklahoma AWIC

Chapter Five: 

Case Studies
Low Vision
Physical Disability

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO OK FARMING INTRODUCTION TO OKLAHOMA FARM INDUSTRY

A SNAPSHOT OF FARMING IN OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma agriculture remains an important economic force, representing $4.5 billion dollars worth of raw products grown each year. This breaks down to an average contribution in sales per farm of $53,498.

Our state ranks seventh in the United States in total number of farms (83,300) and about 75% of our land is in agricultural production.

Most Oklahoma farms are considered small farms, with an average size of 406 acres. The majority of these farm businesses are family farms, passed down from generation to generation.

In Oklahoma, it is not unusual to see family members working together to provide labor, share costs, and reach consensus on decisions, but most farms continue to have one primary operator. Because of the division of labor and responsibilities on farms, each farm operator is essential to the success and survival of the farm.

However, other types of farm business structures can be found in Oklahoma, like corporate farms and vertically integrated farms, as well as value-added farm production, subscription farms, and market gardens.

Despite differences in farming, one fact remains constant: farming is a hazardous occupation (2nd highest fatality rate) and over 200,000 farm workers in the U.S. sustain lost-work time injuries of which many result in serious, life altering disablement. Many others become disabled because of chronic illness or off-the-farm accidents and injuries.

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services has a vital role in assisting individuals with disabilities enter or retain employment in agriculture.

DIVERSITY OF FARM PRODUCTS & PRODUCERS
CROPS:
Wheat
Cotton
Fruit & nuts
Greenhouse
Dairy
Hay
Soybeans
Sorghum
Vegetables
Corn
Other grains

LIVESTOCK:
Cattle & calves
Poultry & eggs
Meat chickens
Hogs & pigs
Sheep
Dairy & meat goats
Horses & donkeys
Mules & ponies
Aquaculture
Turkeys
Fiber & hair products

FARMERS:
Principal Operators:
Men = 74,580
Women = 8,720
Average age= 56

All Operators by Race:
White=108,877
African American=1,096
American Indian=7,470
Pacific Islander=26
Asian=116
Hispanic=2,069

MYTH ONE: FARMING IS AN EASY WAY OF LIFE
AGRARIAN REALITY:

As city and suburban motorists pass through the countryside in the comfort of automobiles, the farm looks like a peaceful idyllic place. Looks can be deceiving.

In fact, farms and ranches require a significant investment of physical labor, time, money, and acceptance of risk. Seasonal demands find the farm operator putting in hour upon hour of fatiguing labor to prepare fields for planting or harvesting grain crops, tending livestock, and maintaining the farm infrastructure and machinery.

Farming often entails multiple roles and expectations. Up to 50% of farm operators must also work off-the-farm jobs to sustain themselves and their families and to obtain health benefits. The farm work gets done before and after off-the-farm jobs, on weekends and after church.

Farm women often work three “shifts”. The first shift is off-the-farm employment. The second shift entails completing household responsibilities and child-care. The third shift is completing farm tasks to help pick up the slack and get work accomplished. If the farmer or spouse has a disability, their partner must also fulfill the role of caregiver.

MYTH TWO: CAN’T MAKE A LIVING FROM FARMING
AGRARIAN REALITY:

Obviously 83,300 Oklahoma farmers are making a living in agriculture. Granted, farming is not an easy way of making a living, and others may not understand or value why anyone would work so hard for the amount of income produced. However, farming is a valid occupational choice.

Farming and ranching also represents a way of life, which may significantly outweigh the hardships and lower income for those who are embedded in farming culture and perceive themselves as having good quality of life.

Some things have to be measured beyond just income and farm and ranch businesses are a good example. Most Oklahoma agricultural producers employ workers from the community. Farms create the need for purchases of goods, services, tools, machinery, seed and feed, and chemicals from other rural businesses. Agricultural businesses pay taxes. And lastly, farms and ranches contribute to creating natural wildlife habitat and stewardship of precious environmental resources.

MYTH THREE: FAMILY FARMING IS INEFFICIENT
AGRARIAN REALITY:

Opinions about what is “efficient” are largely shaped by a market economy which favors economies of scale. From this perspective, larger corporate agri-businesses are more cost-efficient. Unanswered questions remain about the environmental impact of farm operations like concentrated animal-feeding operations and the social effects of such economic systems.

A small number of producers are moving toward forms of agriculture which many people find more in line with their social and environmental values. These farm producers are decreasing dependence on growing commodity crops and are creating profitable niche businesses in fresh direct marketing of farm products like fresh vegetable and meats, agrotourism, and organics. Some growers may join cooperatives in producing bio-fuels or other energy crops.

Ultimately, all these forms of agriculture find their spot in marketplaces driven by alternate concepts of efficiency.

MYTH FOUR: ALL FARMING IS THE SAME
AGRARIAN REALITY:

Oklahoma farms and ranches are diverse in the type of grain crops grown, animals raised, business structure, and kinds of equipment and machinery needed to produce feed crops and livestock.

For example, one agricultural producer may work calves by moving them through a handling system where a squeeze chute or tilt table is used to safely confine the animal. Another producer may still use ranching skills of roping off horses and work the calves on the ground where it is held by two flankers.
Although most farms need tractors to perform work, the size and configuration of tractors greatly varies. Different tractors are made for utility work, orchardry, row crop production, and large-scale field preparation.

Also, a farm in southwest Oklahoma may require specialized equipment like cotton harvesters or peanut harvesters. Meanwhile a farm in eastern Oklahoma may need equipment for shaking trees and picking up pecans.

Service providers, especially those unfamiliar with agriculture, will typically find the farm producer more than willing to explain how their particular farm operates, how tasks are typically performed, and kinds of equipment located on the farm.

FARM CULTURE AND IDENTITY

For some, a job is simply a way to financially support a family, pay the mortgage, and acquire goods and services they feel contribute to quality of life. The jobs performed may have little or nothing to do with how they identify “who they are” as a person. Other roles may be more important, like being a dad, or being a photographer. Jobs are a means to reach other more important ends.

Farmers are more likely to identify themselves through the work they perform and the lifestyle that accompanies the work. A farmer IS a farmer.

For many, the farm has been sustained by multiple generations of family members, and the values, routines, and rhythms of farm life are found desirable to pass on to future generations.

The farm becomes a place of deep personal and spiritual meaning. In fact, on some farms, multiple generations of men, women, and children may be found working in various roles and activities upon the farm.
The farm life offers seasonal routines for daily labor in planting and harvesting, husbandry, maintaining the farmstead and machinery. The hours are long, and often farmers are working alone to achieve results. It is no wonder farmers have been characterized as independent, stoic, proud, thrifty, responsible, and “can do”.

According to a report by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, farmers value family, hard work, commitment to community, spiritual faith, and self-sufficiency.

Still, farm families have the same problems as anyone, including family differences, marital discord, disability, or substance abuse. However, the services needed to assist farm family members must be culturally competent.

And simply defined, to a farmer, being able to farm is equated with being healthy. The research of Deborah Reed, a nursing professor at the University of Kentucky confirms the notion of health and farming. She interviewed over 200 farmers about their opinions regarding being healthy, and almost all of them reported being healthy meant being able to go out and work on the farm.

When what “you do for a living” is your “way of life” and “who you are”, it is easy to see why farmers are motivated to work.

FARM ROUTINES

Farm routines vary depending on the weather, seasons, and time of year. For instance, in June, most Oklahoma farmers will be busy harvesting wheat fields and baling the straw. Summer is also the time for mowing, raking, baling, curing, and stacking hay.

Late summer will find farmers operating tractors and preparing fields for next years planting by turning over fallow fields with plows and conditioning the soil surface with chisels or other harrowing implements.

During fall months, many farmers and ranchers who raise cattle will be concerned with gathering the weaned calves and shipping them to livestock sales. However, the cows and bulls that will be kept over the winter will continue to be fed and watered. The farmer and rancher will have made decisions about how much hay and supplemental feed will be needed to sustain the herd and where the feed and hay will be stored for access. Some farmers and ranchers will graze cattle on winter wheat as well.

Winter is also a time for repairing and maintaining machinery, however, access to hay, feed, and water is a daily routine for farm animals wintering over. Winter is also the time for taxes, preparing financial documents, and getting the books up to date.

Spring renews the farm routine cycle when planted fields of wheat begin to grow taller and beard. Cows begin to bear their calves and need tending by the farmer or rancher.

Vocational rehabilitation counselors working with farmers and ranchers must give consideration to the entire work year to gain an accurate picture of the major work duties of the farmers or rancher client. Often the priority for the farmer is whatever farm routines and demands are currently in season, so it is important to obtain the large picture first, and prioritize needs according to the overall farm operation.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Farm and ranch work take place in a variety of physical work environments. The lighting conditions, temperature, work surfaces, footing, and air quality are important features to note in the agricultural work setting.

For instance, dairy farmers spend a great deal of time working indoors while milking cows. The dairy parlor floor will be concrete and most likely will be wet, creating an environment conducive to slipping and falling. The dairy farmer must also have physical contact with large heavy dairy cows and may be kicked, stepped on, or pushed against by the animal. The dairy farmer must lift and carry milking units, depending on the setup of the parlor, as well as thoroughly clean everything after milking.

Meanwhile, a wheat farmer on a harvest combine must deal with sun exposure, extreme heat, dust, and long hours in the operators seat of the combine repetitively operating numerous hand and foot controls to successfully cut the field and transfer the wheat to grain trucks that will take the wheat to the granary. Vocational rehabilitation counselors should optimally visit the farm to look at the work environment of the farm client, and/or ask probing questions about the types of environments the farmer or rancher is working in through the year. Many times modifications to environmental conditions can be made to improve health, safety, and task performance.

FARM MACHINERY AND TOOLS
Agricultural machinery is large, heavy, and dangerous. The machinery may have an auger, chain, belt, pulley, knife edge, or power shaft to perform some farm function.

However, machinery is essential to the success of every Oklahoma farm enterprise. A typical new row crop tractor may cost over $100,000 and a combine $250,000. Thus, most farmers will want to gain access to the farm machinery they already have on the farm, and in most instances, adapting the machinery for access is the most cost effective solution for farmers with physical disabilities. Most farmers are also quite competent to determine how much physical risk they are willing to assume in continuing to work in agriculture. Appropriate assistive technology and modifications can help reduce risks.

FARM STRESS
Most farms and ranches appear tranquil and pastoral when viewed by travelers swiftly passing by on nearby highways. In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. Farming and ranching families endure stresses over which they have little or no control.

For example, the farmer or rancher pays the same high cost of fuel as anybody and depends on petroleum based chemicals for fertilizing, pest, and weed control. Yet, depending on global markets they may see little profit by the time the crop is out of the ground.

Farmers also have no control over the vagaries of Oklahoma weather. Severe winter ice, spring and summer hail storms, flood, and tornadoes can all damage crops. Drought or extended periods of dry weather can have devastating consequences when plants and animals cannot get enough water to survive.

Fortunately many farmers purchase crop insurance to hedge against weather related damage, but many cannot afford to purchase insurance and suffer the consequences.

Working with family members can also be a source of stress and frustration as different generations on the farm may have different viewpoints on dividing labor, methods of production, and sharing financial risks and rewards.

Most people can leave work at the end of the day and find stress relief at home, through exercise or leisure. For farming families the workplace and home are the same. In addition, medical bills related to chronic health conditions and disability compounds existing stress.

Many VR/VS clients working in agriculture may want to benefit from services that can teach them strategies for coping with on-the-farm stress and familial relationships, as well as receive referrals and advocacy to deal with medical debt.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INJURIES
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, there are several behavioral health risks associated with farm injuries and fatalities. Perhaps the primary health risk for farm related death, injury, or disability is working while fatigued. However, farmers feel very pressured to work long hours in order to make a living through farming. Few take rest breaks, especially during harvest. Simply said, farm accidents frequently occur when the farm operator is fatigued and tired. It is easier to make mistakes or misjudge when tired.

Existing health conditions can also increase the risk of injury. For example, a rancher with diabetes who goes without eating while out checking fence who then loses his/her blood sugar while working in a remote area may not be able to get help for a severe hypoglycemic episode. Coma and/or death could occur in such serious circumstances. Another major risk factor for injury concerns existing attitudes about farm safety and the removal of safety shielding. Some farmers will remove shielding over a power shaft for ease of access for repair or maintenance. When operating, the power shaft (also known as a power take-off) is capable of spinning between 600-1000 revolutions per minute. A jacket string or body part will become entangled if it touches the power shaft before the event can even be perceived. In other words, this time saver may be costly in terms of injury, or more probably, death.

Other behavioral health risks for injury include the use of alcoholic beverages or prescription drugs while operating machinery. Drugs and alcohol can affect attention, alertness, and impair reactions.

Vocational rehabilitation counselors can provide much needed counseling that may assist the farm operator with a disability in modifying behavioral health risks, such as, learning to incorporate rest into work routines, manage chronic health conditions appropriately, replace safety shields on equipment, refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while performing work, and learning about the side effects of medications on work performance.

Children and women on farms are also at increased risk for farm injuries. Children may be asked to perform tasks for which they are not developmentally ready. Women may not be as familiar with the complexity of the farm equipment if they are not also a primary operator on the farm. So it is important when considering transferring work duties from the primary operator with a disability to other family members that their safety, ability, and capacities are known.

FARMERS AND DISABILITY
For most farmers with a disability, the prospect of leaving farm work is not viewed as a desirable vocational goal.

Culturally competent service providers will assist the farmer in viewing all options and assist them in making informed decisions about remaining in agriculturally meaningful work.

Promising news, knows that most farmers with disabilities can continue working in agriculture thanks to advances in farm technologies, assistive and adaptive devices, and environmental modifications.

AgrAbility service providers have expertise in identifying the technology, adaptations, and modifications which can assist the farmer in returning to work. Vocational rehabilitation counselors may consider working with AgrAbility when working with farm clients with disabilities to enhance their vocational rehabilitation services.

Most VR/VS cases with farmers and ranchers will result in a successful employment outcome.

RURAL HEALTH ISSUES
Communities in rural Oklahoma are not even close to having the same depth and breadth of services as metropolitan and suburban areas.

The infrastructure of transportation, health facilities, and emergency medicine are not readily available. The availability of mental health services, home health, caregiving, in-home physical rehabilitation, and other local services are non-existent in many places.

Many rural communities are geographically isolated as well.

In order to receive services, most rural dwellers must drive long distances to more metropolitan areas. Families may be hours away from family members who are hospitalized or in long-term care and need comfort and support of familial relations.

Emergency medical and fire services are often provided by volunteers who may not have access to the same equipment and level of training as city peers.

Data has consistently shown that rural dwellers lag behind in health services, and consequently in health outcomes. In addition, they are more likely to be uninsured or under-insured compared to other Oklahomans.

Many chronically ill or disabled rural dwellers are given well-meaning advice to “move to town” for services, without considering whether this is financially feasible or personally desirable.

Thankfully, advances are being made in providing tele-health and tele-rehabilitation technologies to rural residents through the University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences, and more rural primary care providers have been recruited into rural communities by Oklahoma State University Health Sciences.

However, vocational rehabilitation counselors should not assume that comparable services will be available in most rural areas. The majority of services will be informally provided by family members, church, or neighbors. The lack of adequate rural health services creates stress for all rural community members.

Whenever feasible, the vocational rehabilitation counselor may wish to visit the farm and ranch where a potential client lives. This will provide the counselor with the opportunity to assist the client in filling out an application for service, gaining first hand knowledge about the farm business situation, and determining eligibility as quickly as possible.

Expediting referrals for other human services needed by the farm family can be provided at this time. Strategies and recommendations for strengthening and expanding current support systems can also be determined from the on-site visit.

For instance, the caregiver of a farmer with a disability may need respite care in order to go to the doctor for his/her own health care needs. Many of these needs might not be obvious during an office intake. Yet, these services are important in maintaining the health and vocational participation of the farmer with a disability.

In summary, farmers and ranchers with disabilities in Oklahoma are working, operating businesses, contributing to economic vitality, and making a living from farming thanks to the efforts of vocational rehabilitation counselors. More success is possible!

CHAPTER TWO: CASE MANAGEMENT NEEDS CASE MANAGEMENT NEEDS OF FARM/RANCH CUSTOMERS

ROLE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
The Rehabilitation Services Administration and Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services support the choice of clients in obtaining desired employment. This includes the option of clients who wish to be retained in a current occupation but who need vocational rehabilitation services in order to do so successfully. Most farmers will fit into the category of being retained in a current occupation. This makes sense for many reasons:

First, farmers and ranchers generally already possess the land, animals, farm financing, machinery, equipment, and tools to work in agriculture. Second, they have highly specialized knowledge about the use of land, water, and resources used for agricultural production. Thirdly, the prospect of successfully re-tooling the farmer for other available vocations in the community is marginal in most rural locations. Fourth, most farmers will choose to remain employed in agriculture when given the opportunity to do so.

The role of the vocational rehabilitation counselor will be to work with the farmer in determining what vital services, assistive technologies, home or work modifications will be needed to return to work, as well as identifying other financial resources, efficient use of any cost-share, and learning about programs available to assist with achieving success.

Although vocational rehabilitation is acknowledged to be the payer of last resort, in reality, Oklahoma has few other agency or organizational resources to fund the services and equipment needed for vocational success. However, a few available resources will be identified in Chapter Five.

ELIGIBILITY
Effective service includes gathering information for determining eligibility as soon as possible. The longer a self-supporting business owner like a farmer or rancher must wait for services, the more the viability of the business is jeopardized. Why? Because self-supporting farm operators depend upon their own participation in the daily labor and work tasks in order to keep the businesses going. It is not likely a full-time farmer is on workman’s compensation or receiving disability income while awaiting vocational rehabilitation services. Thus, unnecessary delays or lapses of service should be avoided to every extent possible.

Also, it is important to remember the severity of the disability is exacerbated and heightened by the complex environments in which agricultural work is performed. For example, an office worker who sustains a lower extremity leg amputation will have fewer disadvantages in returning to work in an office environment than a worker or farmer who must be able to climb up heights, kneel, lift and carry, and walk on uneven terrain or slopes in the field and in adverse weather conditions.

For many reasons, including age, condition of disability, rural location, and number of work environments, and most farmers will also need multiple services over an extended period of time.

For example, G.M. was a 67 year old farmer in southwestern Oklahoma who had a stroke paralyzing his left side. G.M. also had diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. G.M. was the primary operator of large cash commodity farm and cattle operation. Upon becoming eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services, it was determined he would be able to return to work as a farmer if he was provided with the necessary services. A comprehensive plan of employment was created to ensure success. G.M. received additional physical rehabilitation to increase his endurance for working and strengthening his hemiplegic side. He received orthotic services to improve his ambulation and diabetic shoes to reduce the risk of ulcers when walking and operating machinery. His vision was screened to pro-actively treat any diabetes related retinopathy. G.M. was also unable to climb up on his tractor, and a platform lift was installed.

Further, G.M. was able to financially participate in his plan and purchased a farm mobility device called a John Deere Gator. These services were all provided within six months of his intake, and resulting in a successful case closure.

DETERMINING COST SHARE
Vocational rehabilitation counselors have an obligation to determine whether a client can afford to participate in sharing the costs of certain vocational rehabilitation expenses. Also, many times the counselor’s supervisor will want to know if the farm business is viable. However, several common sense points bear keeping in mind:
The business assets of the farm (land, machinery, buildings, animals, vehicles, tools, operations money) belong to the business and should not be included in determining income for cost-share.
The business assets of the farm are almost always needed to sustain the farm business and should not be liquidated in order to pay for rehabilitation expenses.
Check the schedule F, line 36 from the last tax year to figure annual income. The schedule F also provides a debt/expense ratio to determine if the farm is “upside down” (i.e. more debt than assets).
Just because the latest farm financial statements show a loss does not necessarily mean the farm is out of business or at risk. Farms have good years and bad years.
Viability of the farm business can be demonstrated by whether farm credit is being extended to the farm. Credit institutions are not going to loan money to farms that are going under!
Ask about whether farm repayment is being made on time, since payment patterns can also demonstrate viability.
Consider the number of years the farm has been in business under the primary farm operator as evidence of viability. A farmer who has survived over a decade or more is probably a successful operator.
A red flag could be a farmer asking the VR/VS counselor to purchase seed because the bank will not do so.
IFMAPS at OSU can assist in stating a farms financial position.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT OR RETENTION?
It is important to determine whether a farmer should be served under self-employment rules or as retention in employment case.

Most of the time the farmer has already been operating a farm for a considerable amount of time. It does not make sense to work the farmer’s case under self-employment rules and policy. It makes more sense to provide services that retain the farmer in his current employment situation. The farmer will not need assistance from vocational rehabilitation for paying business –related start-up costs, so a business plan is not really necessary to provide services. In other words, the viability of the farm has already been demonstrated.

However, sometimes a farmer with a disability will decide to shift the farming operation into a more manageable enterprise. For example, one traditional Oklahoma wheat farmer and cattle stocker decided to move into a non-hormone treated cattle home-based business marketing the processed beef right from the farm. In this instance, it made sense to work the case under self-employment policy, since this constituted a new and vastly different farm operation.

At times people with disabilities will choose to enter agricultural related enterprises or start an agricultural or horticultural related business. In recent years, small acreage growers have proven very successful in deriving income from farmer’s market production. A person with a disability who is entering an agricultural related business for the first time will definitely be best served through self-employment services. A business plan, financial projections, and feasibility study are the cornerstone to starting any new business enterprise. Re-assuring the agricultural entrepreneur that the business plan is not just a hoop they have to jump through is paramount, but is essential to future success (even if they can name successful ventures who started without one!).

An agricultural entrepreneur with a disability will also be more likely to need start-up costs, services, and equipment essential for being in business, as well as assistive technologies to support participation in the business.

Business plans costing more than $10,000 requires supervisory approval, however, according to VR policy this does not include the cost for assistive technology. Assistive technology and environmental modifications costs are determined by VR assistive technology policy and procedures.

MEASURING EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES FOR FARMERS
Oklahoma vocational rehabilitation policy provides good guidance on determining when employment outcomes have been reached for most workers. For instance, the worker is making the same income as non-disabled peers, or is attaining at least minimum wage every week for a period of months.

However, farmers may only receive income on an annual basis or a few times a year. This fact does not correspond well with the guidance found in policy.

In clarifying policy, the Agency has determined a farmer who is already in business can be assumed to be making a basic living wage. If the farmer is satisfied with farm participation and is operating competitively with his/her neighboring farms (i.e. similar risks/rewards), then it can be assumed the farmer is successfully employed, and the case can be closed as “rehabilitated”.

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS OPTIONS
On occasion, a seasoned farmer or a new entrepreneur with a disability will want to explore new agricultural related business options. Oklahoma has a vast and diverse geography capable of growing numerous plants, feed crops, and forage for raising animals depending on location and availability of resources.

Many niche opportunities are being discovered in agriculture with great frequency. Vocational rehabilitation can support exploration of new agricultural opportunities that may better suit the capacities and resources of the farmer. For example:

Viniculture and wine-making are a growing industry in Oklahoma.

Goat meat is highly desired by many ethnic food market consumers.

Fresh varieties of vegetables and fruits are a farmer market staple.

Organic-labeled foods command premium prices in the market place and are found in virtually every supermarket and specialty foods stores.

Fresh-cut flowers for the table are a farmer’s market favorite.

Many fresh and dried herbs are used in the kitchen and for wellness.

Value-added farm products like dairy goat milk soaps, lotions, and cheese are in demand.

Value-added food products like salsas, heirloom tomatoes, jellies, chutneys, and other processed on-the-farm products are entering natural foods and farmers markets.

Smaller cattle varieties like low-lines (Angus and Scottish Highlander) can be grown on less acreage and find a place in grass-fed beef niches with food consumers who value sustainable farming practices.

Farm baked breads and pies are an important part of farmer’s market variety.

Dried fruits and meat jerky are popular winter products since they can be stored for longer periods.

Wind is an energy resource that can be “harvested” on farms, as well as extra bio-mass for converting into diesel fuel.

Locally produced artisan cheeses go great with an Oklahoma wine.

Direct marketing of farm raised natural beef and free range meat poultry fill an important consumer need.

Farm fresh eggs are desirable at the farmer’s market.

Native pecans and paper shells are highly sought during the Holidays.

Christmas trees and firewood are also seasonal sources of income.

Agritourism is a growing segment of business in Oklahoma.

Pumpkin farms also enjoy seasonal buyers.

Growing food in Oklahoma is big business. For more information about the diversity of food production in our state, please visit the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture website at: www.oda.state.ok.us

Also, local Cooperative Extension specialists will have information about niche agriculture throughout Oklahoma. Office Locator at: http://countyext2.okstate.edu.

CHAPTER THREE: POTENTIAL NEEDS POTENTIAL NEEDS OF AGRICULTURAL CLIENTS

ASSESSMENT
VR/VS counselors typically use appropriate existing information to ascertain diagnosis and the medical functional impact of disability. However, assessment to determine eligibility can be greatly enhanced through using the established expertise of the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project to evaluate the effect of a farmer or rancher’s disability upon task performance and participation in work. The AgrAbility Assessment is a comprehensive written evaluation of the agricultural client’s past and current participation in work, quality of current performance, and identification of environmental or other barriers to working. The assessment may also be useful in determining the appropriate priority service category. For instance, since agricultural workplaces are dangerous, dynamic, and complex, a given condition of disability may actually be more severe in this context, than say, in an office environment.

The AgrAbility Assessment can also be useful for writing goals for the IPE and projecting the goods and services necessary for successful rehabilitation. In most cases that have an AgrAbility Assessment, eligibility can be determined in considerably less than 60 days, and allow the counselor to act effectively and efficiently toward closure. Referrals for AgrAbility Assessment services can be made through ABLE Tech at:
1-888-885-5588 (toll-free).

VR/VS may also have staff who are assistive technology or sensory aid specialists who can contribute information on part or all of the assessment for eligibility and identification of goods and services, depending on the individual’s established expertise. Expertise and competence can be determined by the amount of training the individual has in the area of agricultural health and safety, AgrAbility assistive technology workshop training, and the amount and time of practice experience with agricultural clients in the past. Coming from an agricultural background is also a plus, but does not substitute for practice competency: the specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for working with agricultural clients with disabilities.

COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE
Counseling and guidance is a primary tool in vocational rehabilitation. It allows the VR/VS counselor the opportunity to develop rapport and common ground with the farmer and rancher, as well as assist the agricultural client in adjusting and adapting to having a disability. Often a farmer or rancher with a new disability will have been discouraged by well-meaning health practitioners from returning to working in agriculture, when actually most of them can continue participation in farming or ranching work. The counselor can often assist in correcting these misperceptions by explaining how the agricultural client can maximize satisfaction in farm work participation through the use of VR/VS services that identify suitable and realistic farm work goals.

All agricultural clients will need some form of counseling and guidance from the VR/VS counselor, especially counseling and guidance that enable informed choice. An example would be a farmer or rancher who decides to significantly change the farm or ranch operation into a more physically manageable alternative enterprise. Since the change from a traditional commodities or livestock farm or ranch is significant, other information and support services will likely be necessary to reach a successful rehabilitation closure. The counselor and the client may need more information about alternative farm enterprises, as well as the capacities needed to operate the new enterprise. For example, a VR counselor working with a farmer in southwestern Oklahoma, who had experienced numerous traumatic hand injuries, discovered the farmer wanted to use his farm to raise USDA source verified non-hormone treated cattle and then directly market the product. These needs required the farmer to obtain new skills in business planning, developing a USDA approved management plan, and implementing strategies to build additional capital for startup and new equipment. So that the client could exercise a more informed choice, the counselor and AgrAbility were able to refer the farmer to specialized information and support services that could assist him in developing skills and extra financial resources as well as test the feasibility of his new enterprising idea.

A few agricultural clients may want to leave farming and ranching entirely and move into traditional in-town employment situations, though this is extremely rare. In these instances, the VR/VS counselor can make use of traditional contacts and supports they have already established to ensure clients reach successful closure. These might include obtaining services through other entities and organizations, paying for job-related services, such as: job search and placement, job retention, ongoing services, and extended services. Clients may also need vocational and other training services. In addition, since many farmers are under-insured or uninsured, they may need diagnosis and treatment of existing physical and mental impairments that are affecting the ability to enter new employment or maintain their current employment. A working cowboy and ranch manager without health insurance had significant deterioration in both hips from a lifetime of working from horseback. He was limited to using a wheelchair and unable to work. Vocational rehabilitation was able to purchase medical services to replace both hips over a period of months for treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. The case was successfully closed by placing him into a new occupation as a livestock contract buyer.

REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY
Well selected rehabilitation technology, aids, or devices can be a powerful and effective tool for returning agricultural clients to the farm or ranch workplace and for removing barriers to work participation. On the other hand, poorly selected rehabilitation technology, aids, and devices, cost the agency valuable funding resources and create frustration and discouragement for the client.

Oklahoma AgrAbility has demonstrated expertise in recommending and selecting the most essential and cost-effective technologies needed for the agricultural workplace. AgrAbility Specialists can also consult with the VR/VS rehabilitation specialists on the appropriate assistive technology or sensory aids needed by a client. Numerous VR/VS case studies indicate most rehabilitation technology, aids, or devices are needed to gain access to agricultural machinery, farm mobility, and access through gates, as well as ergonomic or adapted tools for specific job tasks. It is worth noting again, in self-employment cases, assistive technology is not considered under the business start-up costs, but is a separate service. The following sections will cover the use of rehabilitation technology in more depth.

FARM ACCESS ISSUES AND TYPICAL SOLUTIONS
Many farmers or ranchers with disabilities need to be able to access and operate farm machinery like tractors, combines, and farm trucks. Usually the farmer or rancher has a significant limitation in mobility from a spinal cord injury, hemiplegia from stroke, lower extremity amputation, or severe arthritis in one or more joints of his/her hips, knees, ankles, or feet. Depending on the level of impairment, the farmer or rancher may no longer safely climb up the small ladders and handholds provided for standard access. Some farmers with good dynamic standing balance can handle using adapted steps and ladders which are more biomechanically efficient. Other farmers with good static standing balance may be able to use a mechanical lift with a standing platform to reach the operator’s station, while those with paralysis or hemiplegia will probably require a mechanical lift with a seat to reach the operator’s seat in the machine. Once positioned in the operator’s seat, the farmer or rancher may need additional aids depending on the tasks to be performed with the equipment. Devices like extra mirrors, hand controls, automatic hitching equipment, and ergonomic seating, are needed to enhance function in the job task, decrease abnormal postures, and decrease fatigue (the number one human-related factor in farm injuries and fatalities).

Having adequate farm mobility is crucial for the agricultural client with lower extremity impairments causing pain, joint limitations, and fatigue in ambulatory clients. Mobility is absolutely essential for agricultural clients with paralysis, lower extremity amputation, and significant hemiplegia. Very few electric powered wheelchairs or scooters are adequate for outdoor farm mobility and those that are adequate are also quite expensive. Traditional farm mobility devices like non-roadway utility vehicles are frequently less expensive and can be adapted for hand controls and wheelchair lifts. Several state VR agencies are opting for the purchase of non-roadway utility vehicles instead of electric powered wheelchairs or scooters. The need for the non-roadway farm mobility device must be extremely well-justified and essential to achieve the vocational outcome. In other words, no less expensive and/or adequate solution can be found. The farm truck may also be a target for technology that enables transfer in and out of the vehicle, as well as a lift for a wheelchair or scooter, so the farmer or rancher can scout fields, check livestock, or access the community for business banking, cooperative extension services, or going to the implement dealership or feed stores for purchases.

Getting in and out of farm fields, pastures, livestock enclosures, and farm structures can be a daunting task for a person with physical limitations. Numerous solutions exist which can enhance access and reduce barriers to work participation that relate to gate closures, barn doors, and latches. A vocational rehabilitation counselor in northeastern Oklahoma was able to purchase a powered gate opener for a farmer with a severe and degenerative back impairment. This enabled the farmer to open a main gate with a remote control; thus, he did not have to get in and out of his truck or have to lift or drag the gate to open it. Other devices, like one-handed gate latches or easy turning handles are available for clients with arm or hand limitations. Also, many different solutions exist for removing barriers at doors and entry points to barns, shops, and outbuildings. Farmers with visual impairments may benefit from solutions that decrease sources of glare, increase general lighting and task lighting, provide optimal organization of tools and workspace, and high visibility marking on key objects for improving their contrast with the task environment.

Finally, an incredible revolution in ergonomic tool design has optimized the safety and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in the workforce. These same tools can be utilized appropriately for many agricultural clients who have difficulty manipulating regular tools or who need assistance in stabilizing materials through the use of one-handed clamping devices. Many of these devices are found off-the-shelf in home improvement stores, construction supply businesses, or hardware and tool stores. Frequently minor modifications can be made to existing tools to increase their usability. Anti-vibration tape or non-slip gripping can be applied to a tool handle, or the tool can be modified for a specific need. For example, a set of hay hooks were modified using a modeling plastic to create a more comfortable custom grip for a farmer with severe arthritis in her hands. Another farmer with a total shoulder arm amputation benefitted from extending the length of a set of open end wrenches to give him more leverage. Yet another farmer with bilateral arm amputations was able to use a cordless drill by adding steel eyelet hooks through which he could hold the drill and operate the trigger.

FUNDING
In general, VR/VS are frequently the only source of funding for purchasing the services and goods needed to reach a successful closure. However, funding is not an inexhaustible resource of the Department. Whenever possible, VR/VS counselors will augment the funding resources available to clients through various means. Some farmers or ranchers may have a particularly good year in farming and make a profit from the farm. In this instance, the farmer or rancher could be expected to financially contribute to their plan. In many years the farmer may have to reinvest all cash back into the farm business without any profit taking.

Other resources are worth mentioning in regard to funding opportunities for assistive technologies, services, or goods needed to vocationally rehabilitate the agricultural client.

ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM & ACCESS TO TELEWORK FUND
Oklahoma ABLE Tech, in partnership with the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT), contracts with BancFirst, to offer a statewide Alternative Financing Program (AFP) and an Access to Telework Fund Program (ATF) to Oklahomans with disabilities.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech is one of 26 states to receive funding from the US Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to operate a low interest loan program called the Alternative Financing Program or AFP. In addition, ABLE Tech is one of 20 states to receive funding from the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Agency (RSA) to operate an Access to Telework Program or ATF.

The programs offer a low interest and/or low interest guaranty bank loan that provides Oklahomans with disabilities the opportunity to borrow money for the purchase of needed assistive technology (AFP), computers and other adaptive equipment (ATF). Both loan programs are administered through a partnership with ABLE Tech, BancFirst of Stillwater and OkAT. Both the AFP and ATF loan programs provide a mechanism for persons who do not qualify for a low interest loan through BancFirst, to request a financial review by OkAT to co-sign or guarantee a loan. Under its own established loan criteria, OkAT determines the loan applicant's ability to make the monthly payments. The interest rate charged to the borrower on the low interest loan is 2% above the Wall Street Journal Daily Prime Interest Rate for an extended term up to 5 years. ABLE Tech has managed a very successful AFP program since the fall of 2001.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech can be reached toll free at 1-888-885-5588.

SOCIAL SECURITY WORK INCENTIVES
Social Security has an umbrella of special rules that make it possible for persons with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments and Medicare or Medicaid. Social Security calls these rules "work incentives". Some farmers and ranchers who have become disabled may receive SSDI or SSI and would potentially be eligible to benefit from these incentives.

The Social Security work incentives are like an umbrella to help farmers and other persons with disabilities weather the rehabilitative process of going back to work. On one side of the umbrella is Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. A person with a disability receives SSDI because they have paid FICA taxes for a specified period of time, like an insurance policy, and have become disabled and are eligible to receive benefits in the form of monthly payments and Medicare health care coverage.

On the other side of the Social Security umbrella is Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. A person receives this type of payment due to limited income and resources. Usually a person receives SSI when there has not been enough paid into FICA taxes over the years to become an “insured” worker, or the amount of SSDI the person would receive is below the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).

The FBR changes every year. In 2009, the FBR is $674 per month for a single person. To be eligible for SSI a single person must have $2,000 or less in countable resources. They would also be categorically eligible for Medicaid. There are certain work incentives that are associated with SSDI and SSI separately and work incentives that apply to both the SSDI and SSI programs.

SSDI WORK INCENTIVES
A person with a disability who receives SSDI and has children under the age of 19 could potentially receive auxiliary benefits for his or her non-disabled children. Auxiliary benefits are payable to the non-disabled children of a disabled parent until they reach the age of 19 or graduate from high school, whichever occurs first. They will receive this benefit as long as the parent is still eligible to receive the monthly SSDI cash payment.

Trial Work Period (TWP). The benefit of the nine-month trial work period is for beneficiaries to test their ability to work while retaining both the SSDI cash benefit and earnings from employment. Trial work months will be used when monthly wage earnings exceed the trial work period level, which changes every year. In 2009, the trial work period level is $700/month gross if working for a wage. If a person is self-employed, trial work months will be used when the person works more than 80 hours per month OR exceeds the monthly trial work period level in Net Earnings from Self- Employment (NESE). Most farmers are self-employed and would need to keep track of the hours worked and net earnings from self-employment in order to assist in the determination when a trial work period months were completed. NESE is figured by taking gross income minus (-) expense equals (=) net income, multiplied by (x) .9235. Social Security uses tax records to make determinations and usually divides the NESE by the period of time worked.

The nine trial work months do not have to be consecutive, but once the 9th trial work month is complete a 36 consecutive month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins. During this consecutive three-year period, the SSDI cash benefit will be received only during months earned income is under the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level of $980 per month gross wages in 2009. If a person’s disability is blindness, the SGA level for 2009 is $1,640 per month.

NOTE: The first month of SGA after the trial work period, triggers one “cessation” and two “grace” months. During these three months individuals continue to receive the SSDI cash benefit, regardless of their earned income. This provides a transition for those adapting to earnings above the SGA level. In order to determine SGA if a person is self-employed, the SSA will use their NESE supported by tax information provided which is cross referenced with the Internal Revenue Service. It is important to note that self-employment income alone is not the only factor in determining if an individual has attained SGA. In addition to earnings, a three-step SGA testing process could be applied and is as follows:

1). Significant Services AND Substantial Income. Services provided in a one-person business are determined to be significant. In a business involving more than one person, significant services exist when the beneficiary provides 50% or more of management time or 45 hours per month, regardless of the total management time required by the business. Substantial income exists when average NESE is over SGA guidelines. If NESE is under SGA limits, it may still be significant if income is comparable to what the person earned before becoming disabled or comparable to that of a non-disabled self-employed person doing the same type of work.

2). Comparability of Work Activity. Work activity is SGA when all relevant factors such as hours, skills, energy output, efficiency, duties and responsibilities are comparable to that of a non-disabled person in that type of work.

3). Worth of Work Activity. Although not comparable to that of a non-disabled person, work activity is SGA if it is clearly worth more than SGA earnings guidelines when considered in terms of its effect on the business, or when compared to the salary a business owner would pay to an employee for such duties. SSA will use a variety of methods to maintain beneficiary information on those self-employed to assist them with ongoing benefit determinations and use of work incentives. Beneficiaries should be prepared to release to SSA any of the following: business records, federal income tax returns, an account of hours performed in the business (such as a time sheet or calendar), and activities and responsibilities performed in accordance with operating the business (such as a job description, list of responsibilities or productivity log). After the 36 month Extended Period of Eligibility is exhausted, the first point an individual works and earns above The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level cash benefits will stop and the individual will be terminated from the disability rolls. Cash benefits may be restarted by 1) filing for Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (ExR) or 2) through re-application for benefits. Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits is available to former Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries based on disability. To be eligible for ExR, the individual’s prior entitlement must have terminated due to substantial work activity. Individuals must not be performing SGA in the month they file for ExR and attest that they are unable to perform SGA due to their medical condition. An ExR request to have benefits started again must be made within 5 years (60 months) of the prior benefit being terminated. The Extended Period of Eligibility and ExR are both in place as safety nets for farmers and other beneficiaries if they should find that they are unable to handle working at a substantial level and need to return to benefits.

Medicare is the medical coverage associated with Social Security Disability Insurance. An SSDI beneficiary is eligible for Medicare coverage after a 24-month waiting period from the date of entitlement or the month they receive their first SSDI check. Medicare Part A (hospital) is automatic and premium-free for disability beneficiaries. Part B (medical) is voluntary at a beneficiary cost of $96.40 per month (in 2009); however, low-income and/or Medicaid-eligible individuals may receive state assistance in paying this cost. Medicare Part D (prescription drug benefit) provides beneficiaries the option to enroll in a prescription drug plan for coverage. If a person has a limited income, they could be eligible for and receive the low-income subsidy assistance (also referred to as LIS or “extra help”) available to beneficiaries to help with associated Part D premium, deductible and co-pay expenses.

Extended Medicare (ExM). An SSDI beneficiary could be eligible for Extended Medicare (ExM) if benefits are terminated after the EPE due to earnings. Extended Medicare provides up to 8 1/2 years (including the trial work period) of premium-free Medicare hospital insurance Part A coverage. Once the ExM period is exhausted, individuals who remain medically disabled have an additional opportunity to “buy-in” to the Medicare program to maintain Medicare coverage.

SSI WORK INCENTIVES
Social Security encourages an SSI recipient to work by not counting the entire person’s earned income when they figure the person’s SSI payment amount. Social Security does not count the first $65 of earnings in a month, known as the Earned Income Exclusion (EIE). Social Security applies this exclusion in addition to a $20 General Income Exclusion (GIE) - an exclusion that is first applied to any unearned income that the person may receive. Only half of the remainder is counted when determining an individual’s countable income. This means that Social Security counts less than one-half of the SSI recipient’s earnings when they figure the monthly SSI payment amount. For example, if a single farmer earned $1,085 per month in Net Earnings from Self Employment (NESE), Social Security would subtract the $20 GIE and $65 EIE, which leaves $1,000. The $1,000 would be divided in half. The $500 remainder would be considered countable income and is subtracted from the current Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) of $674 (in 2009). In this example, the farmer would receive an SSI payment of $174, in addition to the $1,085 in NESE that he originally earned.

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) is a SSI income exclusion that allows individuals under age 22 who regularly attend school to exclude from earnings up to $1,640 (in 2009) of earned income per month (up to a maximum of $6,600 per year, in 2009). The SEIE applies to earnings deemed from an ineligible spouse or parent(s) and to the joint earned income of eligible couples when both members are under age 22 AND are working students.

Blind Work Expense (BWE). Any SSI recipient whose primary diagnosis is blindness, and who receives earned income, is entitled to exclude from that income any ordinary and necessary expenses attributable to the earning of income. For example payroll taxes, meals consumed while working, transportation costs or guide dog expenses may be excluded when determining SSI eligibility and payment amount.

Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) is a SSI work incentive that is also available to SSDI beneficiaries. Persons with disabilities are able to set aside income and/or resources to be used to achieve a specific work goal. Interested and eligible beneficiaries would need to complete a SSA-545 application form and submit it to a SSA PASS Cadre Specialist for consideration and approval. The PASS application form SSA-545 is available online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-545.html. In the state of Oklahoma, an individual can reach a Dallas Region PASS Specialist (includes Oklahoma) at 866-635-8697 or 405-605-3001, ext. 3002.

EXAMPLE: A farmer could possibly use PASS to help finance adaptive equipment that would allow him/her to continue farming at a substantial level. Depending on what benefit the farmer is receiving, the PASS can work in several different ways.

EXAMPLES OF SSI WORK INCENTIVES
1) If a farmer is ineligible for SSI due to excessive countable resources, such as a personal savings account, s/he could write a plan to set aside the savings account amount into a PASS to help purchase the adaptive technology needed to continue farming. The savings account would no longer put him/her over the resource limit to become SSI eligible; so s/he could apply to receive the full SSI amount per month. S/he would continue to put a portion of his/her countable earnings in the PASS each month until s/he had enough to purchase all the needed adaptive equipment. While the PASS is active, s/he would receive a monthly SSI payment and would retain a portion of his/her earnings to live off of each month.

2) If a farmer were receiving SSDI only, s/he could choose to write a PASS to set aside his/her monthly SSDI check (and the countable portion of any earnings) into a PASS account to be used to purchase the adaptive equipment needed to continue to farm. By setting aside the unearned income and countable portion of his/her earned income, s/he could then be eligible to apply for and receive the full monthly SSI amount to pay for monthly living expenses.

3) If a farmer were receiving both SSDI and SSI benefits, s/he could set aside the SSDI and a portion of his/her countable earnings in a PASS account to be used to finance the needed equipment. The farmer would then become eligible to receive the full SSI payment, plus retain the remaining portion of any earnings, to cover monthly living expenses.

In each of these examples the farmer could apply for an ATF or AFP loan and use PASS funds to make their monthly payment.

Also, in each of these examples, the farmer would remain resource eligible because the funds in the PASS account are not counted as a resource for SSI eligibility. S/he would also remain categorically eligible for Medicaid and have future access to continuation of Medicaid through 1619(b).

When considering using a PASS, remember many farmers are married with a spouse earning off the farm income which might impact SSI eligibility. There is also potential that farmers would have outstanding loans that prohibit them from meeting monthly living requirements if they were to pursue use of a PASS. When PASS is considered, it is important to work closely with the PASS Cadre due to the complexities of each individual situation.

Section 1619(b) provides for continued Medicaid eligibility for individuals whose earned income is too high to qualify for a SSI cash payment, but are not high enough to offset the loss of Medicaid or publicly funded attendant care.

Property Essential to Self Support (PESS) is an SSI provision which allows individuals to exclude certain resources that are essential to their means of self-support when determining their resource eligibility for SSI. To be eligible for SSI a person must have countable resources below $2,000 for a single person or below $3,000 for a couple. Under this provision all of the resources that a farmer would acquire to be used for their farming business would be excluded when calculating their SSI resource eligibility, because the property would be used in the business or essential for self-support.

SSI & SSDI WORK INCENTIVES
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) applies to both SSI and SSDI. Social Security deducts the cost of certain impairment-related expenses that a person needs in order to work, from their earnings when determining if the person is performing substantial gainful activity or SGA. Examples of impairment-related expenses are items such as a wheelchair, certain transportation costs, medication co-pays and specialized work-related equipment. The items/services must be paid for by the individual and not reimbursable from other sources. During initial eligibility for both SSI and SSDI, and on an on-going basis for SSDI, the cost of IRWE expenses are deducted from gross earnings in calculating SGA. For the SSI program, the cost of an IRWE is subtracted from the person’s earnings in calculating their monthly cash benefit.

Un-incurred Business Expense refers to a self-employment business support that someone provides to a person at no cost. Social Security deducts un-incurred business expenses from a person’s net earnings from self-employment (NESE). Examples of un-incurred business expenses are (1) a Vocational rehabilitation agency gives a rancher a computer that is used to keep track of his/her financial record keeping; and (2) the friends and neighbors of a disabled farmer volunteer their time to assist the farmer in harvesting his/her crops and refuse to be paid for their help. For an item or service to qualify as an un-incurred business expense, it must be an item or service that the IRS would allow as a legitimate business expense if it were paid for. One way to identify an un-incurred business expense is if the Internal Revenue Service does not allow you to deduct the cost for income tax purposes because someone provided the item or services cost-free. Social Security does not deduct un-incurred business expense from earnings when figuring a recipient’s SSI payment amount.

Subsidies and Special Conditions. "Subsidies" and "Special Conditions" refer to supports a person receives on the job that could result in that person receiving more pay than the actual value of the services performed. Social Security deducts the value of subsidies and special conditions from a person’s earnings when they decide whether the person is working at the SGA level. Social Security does not deduct subsidies or special conditions when figuring a person’s SSI payment amount. Following are examples of subsidies and special conditions:
A person receives more supervision than other workers doing the same or a similar job for the same pay.
A person has fewer or simpler tasks to complete, than other workers who are doing the same job for the same pay.
A person has a job coach or mentor who helps them perform some of their work.

Unsuccessful Work Attempt is an effort by a disabled individual to do substantial work that either stopped or produced earnings below the Substantial Gainful Activity level after 6 months or less because of: 1) the individual's disabling condition, or 2) the elimination of the special services or assistance that the individual needed in order to work.

Protection from medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) (http://www.ssa.gov/disability research/wi/cdrprotection.htm). The Social Security Administration reviews disability cases periodically to see if the person with a disability still meets SSA disability requirements. SSA performs two types of reviews, a work review and a medical continuing disability review. Under a work review, SSA looks at earnings to determine if an individual is eligible for monthly benefits. A medical CDR determines if an individual is meeting the medical requirements to qualify for and receive disability. If the person does not meet the medical requirements, SSA may stop the disability benefits.

Ticket to Work. The Ticket to Work program is a Social Security program designed to provide beneficiaries options to receive vocational rehabilitation services, employment services and/or support services from an Employment Network (EN) of choice. The benefit of assigning one’s ticket to an EN is that SSA will not conduct medical Continuing Disability Reviews while the individual is making satisfactory progress towards achieving their self-sufficiency goal. This affords beneficiaries the opportunity to work and transition off of benefits, reducing the fears of being found medically improved. It also allows rehabilitation agencies and Employment Networks the opportunity to receive payments from Social Security for the services they have performed when a beneficiary meets milestones along their road to self-sufficiency.

Section 301 provides for a continuation of SSI and/or SSDI benefits to an individual who is determined to be medically recovered during a medical CDR. To qualify for continued benefits under Section 301, an individual must be actively participating in either an approved State or non-State vocational rehabilitation program prior to the CDR, and SSA must determine that the completion of the program, or its continuance for a specified period of time, will increase the likelihood that the individual will be permanently removed from the disability roles.

SECTION RECAP
Social Security Work Incentives have been used successfully with clients receiving VR/VS and Oklahoma AgrAbility Services. In one example, a farmer with a spinal cord injury was able to continue to have Medicare health insurance and receive his
disability income during his vocational rehabilitation program, as well as use the incentives of Property Essential for Self-Support (PESS), Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Un-incurred Work Expenses, and Trial Work Period (TWP) to successfully return to work as a farmer over an extended period of time.

In another example, a farmer purchased a new work truck with a hydraulic bed in order to add additional equipment like a seated mechanical man lift, powered cube feeder, diesel fuel tank, and round bale carrier to make it possible to do multiple work tasks from one vehicle. The cost of the truck was deducted from his income earnings for Social Security purposes as PESS. Meanwhile, the added equipment was considered IRWE’s since they were needed to participate in work secondary to his disability, and also be deducted from his income earnings for Social Security purposes. Additionally, the services and goods purchased through Vocational Rehabilitation were considered Un-incurred Work Expenses since they were paid for by VR/VS and were necessary to support his working. Another example of an Un-incurred Work Expense or Unpaid Help might be the volunteer hours of labor provided by neighbors in order to get his wheat harvested until he is able to do so himself. Having Trial Work Period months available also ensures there is time to implement and use new strategies and assistive technologies that is crucial in determining whether a farmer or rancher will be able to continue operating the farm.

Certainly, without the benefits of work incentives, transition back into successful employment and ending dependency on disability income would not be possible for many people. It is vital to assist a client in identifying work incentives that will assist in maintaining a source of income while the client is attempting to return to employment and self-supporting income.

Oklahoma AgrAbility can assist with identifying work incentives that clients on SSDI or SSI may be eligible for when returning to farming and ranching, and ultimately enhancing the services vocational rehabilitation is able to provide.

OTHER RESOURCES
Additional information on the above work incentives, including definitions, manual references and/or individual assistance can be found at:

Social Security Online, Work Incentives – General Information: (http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/generalinfo.htm#work)

Social Security Administration’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS) (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/partlist!OpenView).

The POMS is a primary source of information used by Social Security employees to process claims for Social Security benefits. The public version of POMS is identical to the version used by Social Security employees except that it does not include internal data entry and sensitive content instructions.

Social Security Handbook, a basic guide to Social Security programs (a plain language format for use by the public): (http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/ssa-hbk.htm)

Social Security’s Guide to Employment Supports, also known as the Red Book, is an SSA publication that provides definitions, explanations, and practical examples of the use of work incentives. The Red Book can be found at (http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/index.html)

Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (OWIPA) – a SSA funded program that provides work incentive and planning services to individuals who receive SSDI and/or SSI benefits. Contact the National Center for Disability Education and Training, Norman, OK at 405-325-8130 or toll free at 866-608-8873.

CHAPTER FOUR: OKLAHOMA RESOURCES FOR AGRI-BUSINESS

OKLAHOMA RESOURCES FOR AGRI-BUSINESS
Oklahoma has several key agri-business resources that may be instrumental in implementing the IPE of a client. These resources range from traditional large commodity agriculture to innovative entrepreneurship in niche agriculture like direct marketing of farm products, agritourism, or industry forecasting. This chapter is not meant to be an exhaustive resource of all available agricultural business resources, but serves as examples of the types of resources found in Oklahoma.

CAREER TECH-BUSINESS & INDUSTRY SERVICES (B & I)
Small businesses and entrepreneurs can expand and grow stronger by taking advantage of these services:

Self-Employment Training - offers professional assistance and guidance to persons interested in starting a new business in Oklahoma.

Small Business Management - offers the business owner a step-by-step program for creating and growing a successful business.

Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network - provides marketing and technical assistance to Oklahoma businesses interested in selling products and services to federal, state and local governments and other highly structured markets.

The website for Career Tech Business and Industry Services can be found at: http://www.okcareertech.org/main/busind.htm.

CAREER TECH-AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (ABM)
ABM provides customized business management education to adults involved in agriculture and related business in Oklahoma. A curriculum of agricultural business classes is available at multiple locations throughout Oklahoma. This program combines classroom experience with practical application to help Oklahomans improve the skills they use in managing farm, ranch, and agricultural-based business. The main objective of the Agricultural Business Management program is to help agricultural families achieve their business and family goals through improved management, organization, and efficiency practices. The key component of successful management is decision analysis. Agricultural Business Management programs in Oklahoma are an approved and preferred provider of Farm Service Agency borrower training.

The website is: www.okcareertech.org/aged/ABM_index.htm.

INSTITUTE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION-OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAM (OAMP)
OAMP is the USDA certified state mediation provider for the State of Oklahoma. OAMP is housed at the Institute for Dispute Resolution at Oklahoma State University. OAMP assists agricultural producers, their lenders, and other persons directly affected by the actions of USDA resolve disputes. Authorized by the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 and Oklahoma statutes, mediation is an effective way to settle disputes in many different USDA program areas, including farm loans and farm programs, and agricultural credit issues. OAMP can also assist rural Oklahomans with resolving a wide variety of issues that affect their daily lives. OAMP can be found at: http://ok.gov/mediation/ or call 1-800-248-5465.

KERR CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Located in Poteau Oklahoma, the business of the Kerr Center is agricultural education. The communications program is responsible for disseminating information about issues in sustainable agriculture and food policy, as well as Kerr Center events and programs. Numerous Kerr Center events and programs are offered on farm marketing, sustainable practices, and creating value-added farm products.

In 1998, the Oklahoma Producer Grant Program was created to offer Oklahoma farmers and ranchers grants for researching or demonstrating innovative farming practices. The program awards grants to farmers and ranchers in every part of the state. Projects have addressed many areas important to a sustainable agriculture, including improving water quality, trying innovative marketing strategies, organic farming practices, and new adapted crops for Oklahoma. The program also involves ag specialists from OSU Cooperative Extension, National Resource Conservation Service and other non-profit organizations in the state. The Kerr Center can be located at: www.kerrcenter.com/

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-ENHANCEMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM
The Oklahoma Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program provide funds in the form of loans or grants for the purpose of expanding the state's value added processing sector and to encourage farm diversification. Funds, provided on a cost-share basis, must be used for marketing and utilization, cooperative marketing, farm diversification, and basic and applied research. All funding proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to directly benefit Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. More information can be found at: http://www.oda.state.ok.us/mktdev-loans.htm.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
Cooperative Extension Service is the portal into Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. Every county in Oklahoma has Cooperative Extension personnel. County personnel can call upon state, district, and area Extension specialists who develop programs based on science-based, objective information to help Oklahomans solve problems, promote leadership, and manage resources wisely. In addition, numerous on-line publications on the business and growing of plants, animals, and food products can be found on the website, as well as an office locator at: www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/

Extension programs focus on:
Increasing opportunities for agricultural enterprises

Natural resources and environmental management

Food, nutrition, health and safety education

Youth, family, and community development

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-ROBERT M. KERR FOOD & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CENTER (FAPC)
Housed in Stillwater, the mission of the FAPC is stimulating and supporting the growth of value-added food and agricultural processing products in Oklahoma. The FAPC offers large and small businesses, producers and entrepreneurs of Oklahoma, as well as other states, access to faculty and staff with expertise in business and technical disciplines. The FAPC’s research laboratories, pilot-processing facilities, educational programs and seminars keep food and agricultural processors and entrepreneurs on the forefront of cutting-edge value-added processing and technology. The FAPC can be found at: www.fapc.okstate.edu/.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-LANGSTON UNIVERSITY-OKLAHOMA SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT
The collaborating institutions, Oklahoma State University and Langston University are committed to the sustainability of agriculture through economic viability, sound environmental and natural resource management, and awareness and recognition of social diversity. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service provides technical information and educational programs designed to help Oklahoma agricultural producers as they implement strategies and practices to improve the sustainability of their agricultural operations. Sustainable agriculture is a philosophy of growing that encompasses natural, organic, or less chemically intensive forms of agriculture that improve the long-term ecology of the farm or ranch. The program can be found at: http://oces.okstate.edu/oksusag.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-INCENTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING SERVICES (IFMAPS)
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers can call on the IFMAPS program to receive free, confidential assistance in farm business planning. IFMAPS work with people considering an expansion or new enterprise as well as those analyzing the potential for a new farm business. Trained part-time specialists work with families one-on-one to develop financial statements and evaluate alternative plans. The plans typically include budgets for the farm enterprises, a cash flow plan, income statement, balance sheet, debt worksheet, and financial measures. Call 1-800-522-3755 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The website is: www.agecon.okstate.edu/IFMAPS/.

SAMUEL ROBERTS NOBLE FOUNDATION
The mission of the Noble Foundation is influencing agriculture by exploring and improving production agriculture techniques and advancing plant science through research and discovery. Agriculture specialists are available to advise farmers and ranchers on forage-based livestock operations, crop production, range management, horticulture, and developing and managing wildlife enterprises. The website is: www.noble.org/.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-RURAL DEVELOPMENT (RD)
RD financial programs support and promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools. They offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services. Some of the programs that may be useful to people with disabilities working in agriculture include:

Rural Business-Cooperative Program: Administers the Business and Industry Loans Program (B & I), Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG), Rural Enterprise Grants, Rural Business Opportunity Grants, and Intermediary Lending Programs, among others. Although many of the grants target organizations and government institutions, the Business and Industry Loans Program and Value-Added Producer Grants are available to individuals.

Rural Housing Program: Administers low interest loans and/or grants for building single family residences, and housing and repair grants for rehabilitation of homes for disability access or health. Oklahoma Rural Development can be found at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ok/

OKLAHOMA WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE PROJECT (OWIPA)
Located in Norman at OU’s National Center for Disability Education and Research, the Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project (OWIPA) is funded by the Social Security Administration to assist individuals with disabilities who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Medicare or Medicaid benefits. OWIPA provides information on employment and work incentives.

OWIPA has certified Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC's) located throughout Oklahoma. CWIC's are available for individual consultation, technical assistance and training. They are located at two Centers for Independent Living (Progressive Independence and Ability Resources) and the National Center for Disability Education and Training. CWIC's are individuals who have taken specialized training so they are able to assist individuals in understanding their SSI and SSDI benefits. They will provide individuals with the most up-to-date information regarding employment and be able to help determine how employment will affect an individual’s benefits.

OWIPA can be contacted toll-free at: 866-608-8873 or on the web at: http://ncdet.ou.edu/socialsecurity.html

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION-OKLAHOMA AREA WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR (AWIC)
AWICs are available to assist Social Security and SSI disabled beneficiaries and recipients who want to start or keep working. AWICs will coordinate and/or conduct public outreach on work incentives in communities within their service areas, as well as, partner with organizations to promote Social Security's employment support programs throughout Oklahoma. AWICs coordinate the processing of disability work-issue cases in their communities and welcome questions on Social Security's employment support programs, such as PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Sufficiency).

The Oklahoma AWIC is Janette Crow, and she can be contacted by phone at: 405-605-3001, Ext. 3002. Or for more information about Social Security programs and benefits, go to the web at: http://ssa.gov

CHAPTER FIVE: CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDIES

CASE STUDY ONE: LOW VISION
Roger (not his real name) is a 70 year old rancher with macular degeneration who lives and works in northeastern Oklahoma. He raises beef cattle on rotational grazing, but Roger’s real life passion and source of income has been breeding and training race horses. He has been involved with horses all of his life. When Roger was first diagnosed with macular degeneration, his Veteran’s benefits provided him with a close-circuit television (CCTV) to enlarge printed materials so he could read. Over time, he also received orientation and mobility training in using a white cane which he often would use when going to town. In addition to his low vision diagnosis, Roger also has arthritis and joint degeneration from a lifetime of hard work.

For a number of years, these vision aids were the only accommodations Roger needed for continuing his ranch operation. Although he could no longer drive in the community, he was still able to drive his truck and tractor around the ranch. Eventually, as his vision deteriorated, he began having difficulty moving around the ranch and handling chores. He began running into fencing with his tractor or truck where he thought the gates were located, and he was afraid he might drive into one of the small ponds on the property. Fortunately, he had not become so disoriented that he could not get back to the ranch house. Roger was also having problems in the barn with being able to safely enter or leave stalls, especially with stallions, to put feed and water in the stall. He was also tripping over watering hoses, or having difficulty finding rakes and shovels handy where he needed them for mucking stalls.

In 2006, Roger heard about the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project and decided to call. AgrAbility Specialists arranged to visit Roger at his ranch where they were able to observe him working and living in his home. Several priority areas of concern were identified during the visit as the AgrAbility Specialists began assessing Roger’s participation in his daily routines. First, a very low level of lighting within the horse barn was observed. Second, the organization of the workspaces within the barn needed improvement. For instance, the majority of tools and equipment found within the barn and tack room were arranged haphazardly within the environment. Transitions between different flooring surfaces and levels were unclear, and posed trip hazards. Roger’s safety in entering and leaving horse stalls was discussed, as well as outdoor mobility. After meeting with Roger and observing his difficulty in task performance, his continuing participation in ranch work was clearly in jeopardy. AgrAbility referred Roger to the resources and services available from the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Visual Services (VS).

Roger was found eligible for VS services. Working cooperatively, Roger, VS, and AgrAbility were able to prioritize which barriers to work participation should be addressed. The AgrAbility staff was able to provide assistance in re-organizing the workspace and putting every tool in its correct place, making simple repairs, placing high visibility tape on rake and shovel handles, placing high visibility strips at surface and level change transition points, and painting gate posts for high visibility. Visual Services worked with an electrician to develop a new lighting plan to increase non-glare illumination in the barn, provided a mini-manure spreader to increase the ease of removing animal waste and straw from stalls, and also worked with a fabricator to place feeders and watering devices where Roger would not have to enter the stalls with the horses.

Although it took several months to make all the modifications and obtain all the needed services, Roger was finally able to implement all the changes to improve his participation in work activities and continue his cattle and horse programs. Although future vision loss is a real possibility, for now Roger is holding his own. Roger also has acknowledged learning an important lesson; that his ranch quality of life can be sustained through assistive technology, environmental modifications, and remaining flexible and adaptive to his disability. Overcoming disabling barriers to vocational participation are certainly core beliefs shared by his VS counselor and AgrAbility.

CASE STUDY TWO: PHYSICAL DISABILITY
William (not his real name) is a 58 year old farmer in south central Oklahoma whose family has been farming in Oklahoma since the time of the land run in 1889. History, tradition, and community ties run deep in this Mennonite farming community and William was born into his calling as a farmer. When he was in his early twenties, William developed a neurological disorder which caused partial paralysis of both legs and relied on the strength of his arms to walk with forearm crutches. With progressing age, he found it more and more difficult to get into his farm truck, to climb up into farm machinery, or to walk around the farm yard and buildings. In order to keep working, he resorted to sitting on a platform scissor jack that his 85 year old mother or other elderly family members would manually crank to elevate William to a point where he could enter his tractor. It was a dangerous solution, but necessary to get through the demanding harvest season.

One day, William confided his growing concerns to a farm implement dealer who he regarded as a trustworthy friend. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the implement dealer immediately connected William to the local office of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). In turn, the VR counselor contacted Oklahoma AgrAbility to conduct an on-site farm assessment to determine what assistive technologies, environmental modifications, or other adaptations could be implemented to maintain William’s employment as a farmer.

The Oklahoma AgrAbility Specialist observed several barriers to William’s participation in farm work. The specialist observed William had difficulty entering his pickup truck, which he frequently used for farm business and on-the-farm work tasks. The specialist also learned that William had multiple pieces of farm machinery needed for farm operations, and even with the scissor jack, he was unable to get to the operator station of many machines. In addition, William was developing significant shoulder pain and dysfunction from years of depending on his arms for walking with canes, walkers, and crutches. William stated plainly, that he did not want to stop farming, because farming with family and neighbors was an especially important part of his heritage, his identity, and ultimately his feeling of purpose.

In conjunction with VR, Oklahoma AgrAbility presented several ideas to William in adapting the farm environment. William was able to prioritize his needs, and it was determined that several key changes could be made using technology. First, he was provided with a lightweight scooter that would enable William to easily access the community, as well as for “good weather” farm yard mobility. Second, William’s pickup was modified with hand controls, a seat lift, and wheelchair lift to enable him to enter and exit the truck safely, as well as provide a means for carrying his scooter. Most importantly, a customized portable man lift was designed for William by an Indiana company called Life Essentials. The portable lift could be towed with an ATV or pickup, and enabled William to safely enter and exit any of the farm equipment from the farm yard, machinery sheds, or in the fields.

Since implementing these modifications, William is more productive than ever. He has been able to reap the pleasure of tilling, planting, and harvesting his abundant alfalfa and wheat fields, as well as checking winter stocker cattle from his pickup. Above all, William remains intact in the productive fabric of farm community life, and that is the greatest benefit of all.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A
Adaptive device - any piece of equipment designed to improve the function of a body part. Examples include standing tables and special spoons that can be used by people with weak hands or poor muscle control.

Agri-business - farming as big business, including the production, processing, and distribution of farm products, manufacture of farm machinery, equipment, and supplies.
Agriculture - The science, art, and business of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.

Agrotourism - the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and often to participate in farm activities. Also agritourism.

Assistive technology - products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

ATV (all-terrain vehicle) - a gasoline powered, single rider, off road vehicle running on three or four wheels.

Auger - a large screw tool for boring holes, or used to move crop materials from one height to another.

B
Bale carrier - a variety of different manufactured devices used to carry large hay bales in round or rectangular forms.

Bio-fuel - any solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel produced from organic (once-living) matter.

Bio-mass - plant materials and animal waste used as fuel.

Business plan - a prepared document stating the mission, goals, and objectives of a business, a systematic arrangement of details about a proposed business.

C
Capital - Wealth in the form of money or property, used or accumulated in a business by a person, partnership, or corporation.

Chisel - agricultural tool drawn behind a tractor used to break up compacted soil.

Combine - a power-operated harvesting machine that cuts, threshes, and cleans grain.

Commodity crops - An agricultural based transportable article of trade or commerce, such as corn, wheat, cotton, sugar, etc.; traded in global markets.

Competency - having knowledge, skills, and beliefs requisite to being qualified and fit for practice.

Concentrated animal-feeding operation - the practice of raising farm animals in confinement at high stocking density, where a farm operates as a factory. A practice typical in industrial farming by agribusinesses, also known as factory farming.

Corporate farm - a type of farm where a group of individuals unite or combine into one legal body having its own rights, privileges, and liabilities distinct from those of the individual members. Contrasted with family farmer.

Crop insurance - a way to indemnify against a specified crop loss in return for paying a premium.

Cube feeder - also known as a cake feeder, it is a container designed to carry dry feed into the field and can be emptied using gravity, or powered by an auger, to dispense the feed to be consumed by livestock.

D
Direct marketing - a method of directly selling farm grown products from the farm and eliminating intermediaries in the supply chain, i.e. conveying farm products into the commodities market. A marketing strategy that allows the farmer to keep all profit from the sale.

E
Enterprise - a business undertaking showing initiative, imagination, and willingness to take risks.

Environmental modifications - physical adaptations to a house, place of residence, vehicle, or work site, i.e. a ramp for accessibility.

Ergonomic tool - Environmental modifications-physical adaptations to a house, place of residence, vehicle, or work site, i.e. a ramp for accessibility.

F
Fallow - plowed land, but left unseeded during a growing season.

Farm - a tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production; fields, buildings, animals, and personnel pertaining to the farm.

Farm truck - a truck which is used primarily to serve a farming business or complete farming work.

Feasibility study - a study of whether a project or idea is capable of being accomplished; including identifying potential markets and financial viability.

Feed Crops - plant or crop materials grown for the purpose of feeding livestock.

Financial projections - anticipating the future financial position of a proposed or existing business; usually conveyed through spreadsheets.

Forage - food for domestic animals; also called fodder.

G
Grain crops - cereal plants that are grown and harvested as commodities.

Granary - a building for storing threshed grain.

Grass-fed beef - cattle produced for beef that are finished on grass, rather than finished in a feedlot on corn or other grain; believed to produce a leaner meat product with less chemical contamination.

H
Harrowing - a farm instrument with sharp teeth or discs used to break up and level soil; harrowing is using the harrow to break up or level soil.

Harvesting - the act or process of gathering a crop when it ripens; harvest: a time or season of gathering.

Husbandry - the cultivation of crops and breeding and raising livestock; careful management of resources.

I
Informed choice - a method by which people are fully informed and involved in choices about their health care or other services.

J

K

L
Livestock - traditional domestic animals like cattle, sheep, and hogs; or non-traditional livestock like llamas, alpacas, goats, or other domesticated animals.

Livestock contract buyer - a self-employed contractor who works in the field to locate and negotiate the purchase of livestock for a large company; working on commission from sales and purchases.

Low-line cattle - also called short top-lines; cattle genetically bred through selection specifically for the natural and grass raised beef market. Their frame size is proportionally correct for superior grass conversion. Some low-line breeds: Scottish Highlanders and Angus low lines.

M
Market garden - garden grown for the purpose of selling garden products for profit.

Mechanical lift - an assistive technology; powered man-lift to enter/exit agricultural machinery or vehicles.

Milking units - also called “milkers”; the part of a milking system which connects to the teats of dairy cows and removes the milk from each quarter of the udder using vacuum power.

N
Non-hormone treated cattle - cattle that have not received any antibiotics for the purpose of promoting muscle growth and size.

Non-roadway utility vehicle - a gasoline powered off road vehicle designed to carry a driver, passengers, and tools/gear.

O
Organic - growing plants or animals without chemical fertilizers, additives, or pesticides; has a legal definition from the United State Department of Agriculture.

P
Parlor, milking - also called a milking pit; a building where dairy cows are brought to be milked and where the cows are on an elevated platform, and dairy workers stand in a pit to milk the cows using milking units; as differentiated from stanchion milking where dairy workers squat to milk cows.

Planting- furnishing or supplying plants or seeds to a plot of land; stocking water with fish or spawn.

Power take-off - a splined driveshaft, usually on a tractor or that can be used to provide power to an attachment or separate machine.

Primary operator - the main farmer on a family farm; chiefly concerned with carrying out farm work, supervising labor, and making decisions about agricultural processes, utilization of farm resources, and husbandry.

Q

R
Ranch - an extensive farm on which large herds of livestock like cattle, sheep, or horses are raised.

Ranch manager - one who manages a ranch, compared to a rancher, who is the owner of a ranch.

Rehabilitation technology - the systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the needs of and address the issues and concerns of people with disability conditions.

Respite care - the provision of short-term, temporary relief to those who are caring for family members who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home.

Rotational grazing - is a system of grazing in which ruminant herds are regularly and systematically moved to fresh pasture with the intent to maximize the quality and quantity of forage growth. The herds graze one portion of pasture, or a paddock, while allowing the others to recover.

S
Safety shields - shields or devices designed to protect workers from injury by chains, gears, belts, pulleys, screw-drives, or rotational parts of machinery.

Schedule F - part of an IRS tax form commonly used to report the profit/loss of a farm.

Source verified products - growing and storing food in accordance to protocols that are perceived by consumers as healthier, and enable the consumer to know where and under what conditions the food has been raised; i.e. the consumer knows and develops a relationship to the farmer/vendor. The term has a specific legal meaning via the United

State Department of Agriculture for growing beef for consumption.

Subscription farm - a farm that offers produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, meats, or any sort of different farm products.

Sustainable agriculture - Environmentally friendly methods of farming that allow the production of crops or livestock without damage to the farm as an ecosystem, including effects on soil, water supplies, biodiversity, or other surrounding natural resources.

T
Tele-health - is the delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunications technologies.

Tele-rehabilitation - is the delivery of rehabilitation services over telecommunication networks and the internet.

Tractor - a vehicle with large heavy tread tires, primarily used in agriculture to perform work or pulling machinery, powered by gasoline or diesel.

U
Under-insured - individuals or families who do have health insurance, but do not have adequate coverage for needed health services.

Uninsured - individuals or families who do not have any health insurance.

V
Value-added farm production - a process of increasing the economic value and consumer appeal of an agricultural commodity; i.e. milking, making cheese on the farm, and selling it at a grower’s market or local grocery store rather than selling all the milk to the commodities market.

Vertically integrated farm - integrated farm-a corporate farm that maintains control of growing, processing, and marketing crop or animal products; includes small family farms that subcontract to grow for the corporate farm (i.e. Tyson, ConAgra, etc.).

Viniculture - the science, process, and art of wine production.

W
Working cowboy - a person working for wages on a farm or ranch; primarily managing livestock (vs. someone who only dresses western, rodeo athlete, etc.).

Work incentives - a series of programs to increase employment for people receiving Social Security disability related income.

X

Y

Z