Announcements
Special thanks to all our partners who made the 2012 AgrAbility Day at the Capitol a success. Melinda Fruendt received the Outstanding Partner Award, and Charlie Bowen, James Kuhn, and Val Schott were recognized for serving 10 years on our Advisory Council. Their hard work is very much appreciated.
Staff congratulations: Paige Eckert, AgrAbility Graduate Research Assistant, has defended her Master's Thesis on "Distal and Proximal Influence of Trauma Events on the Well-Being of Centenarians" and will be graduating in May 2012 from the College of Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Good luck to Paige as she begins her professional journey!
FAQs
Q: Where can I find an Arthritis Exercise class in Oklahoma?
A: Contact your county Cooperative Extension Service to learn if a class is being offered near you, or contact www.arthritis.org/Oklahoma
A: Contact your county Cooperative Extension Service to learn if a class is being offered near you, or contact www.arthritis.org/Oklahoma
Q: How can I help?
A: 1. To financially support a farmer or rancher (or their family member or worker) living with a disability who continues to manage an Ag operation, go to www.okatfoundation.org/ 2. For ideas on developing youth service learning projects or if researching for public speaking opportunities on this topic, email ability@okstate.edu
A: 1. To financially support a farmer or rancher (or their family member or worker) living with a disability who continues to manage an Ag operation, go to www.okatfoundation.org/ 2. For ideas on developing youth service learning projects or if researching for public speaking opportunities on this topic, email ability@okstate.edu
Welcome to the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project
The Mission of Oklahoma AgrAbility
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project provides direct service, education & networking to support the rehabilitation and assistive technology needs of Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and their family members impacted by a disabling condition.
Pictured above from left: Okarche, Amber-Pocasset and Bethel FFA Chapters
2011 Oklahoma AgrAbility FFA Chapter Contest
Winners Recognized
What is the FFA Chapter Contest? Each year, FFA chapter members in Oklahoma are given the opportunity to make a positive difference in their communities by helping local farmers, ranchers and their families overcome physical barriers in their Ag operation. The challenge is to identify and assist in making low-cost modifications to a farm or ranch of a person with a disability. Winners are chosen for their original designs, the impact the project has on the individual, and the quality of their reports.
First Place: The Amber-Pocasset FFA Chapter created an elevated planting system designed to eliminate bending over to garden. The 93 year-old woman for whom the project was created maintains a 7-acre garden each year. Using the elevated planting system to harvest her tomatoes will reduce her risk for injury. “I won’t have to worry about falling and not being able to get back up with these planters," she said.
Second Place: The Okarche FFA Chapter created a unique rolling design to aide a local farmer in loading a ‘popper,’ a transportation device for show pigs. Their design allowed the popper, weighing up to 300 lbs, to be placed on a rolling device to easily slide into the back of a truck by one person.
Third Place: The Bethel FFA Chapter created a specialized walker to benefit a rancher with Parkinson’s disease. The walker was constructed with large wheels and reinforced piping to withstand rugged terrain.
Many participating Chapter members commented on how much they enjoyed making a difference in someone's life. Oklahoma AgrAbility is proud to partner with Oklahoma Career and Technology Education each year and be involved in teaching not only the value of community service, but also in raising awareness of the unique challenges facing farmers with disabilities.
What Can We Do For You?AgrAbility offers a variety of services at NO COST to customers:
AgrAbility does not provide direct funding or equipment. However, the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project works with the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT), the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and other funding sources to help customers obtain needed assistive technologies and modifications. Facts about Oklahoma AgrAbility:The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project is managed by the Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service; Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) with services provided by Oklahoma ABLE Tech; and the Langston University School of Physical Therapy. For more information on these, and all Project partners, click About Us and Partners. The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project was established in 2002 and is funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture. AgrAbility Priorities
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Together...Cultivating Accessible Agriculture
Last Modified on 05/07/2012