If you have customers with disabilities, you might alert them to a program designed to support their continued independence in agricultural production. The National AgrAbility Project (www.agrabilityproject.org) links the cooperative extension service at a land-grant university with a private nonprofit disability service organization to provide education and assistance that promotes independence in agricultural production and rural living.

USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) administers the AgrAbility Project, and the project funds several state AgrAbility Projects. (There are currently about 30 state projects; participating states are shown on the AgrAbility Web site.)

State AgrAbility personnel provide training, on-farm assessments and technical assistance to farmers with disabilities. Working with extension educators, disability experts, rural professionals and volunteers, the staffs help to:

• Identify farmers with disabilities and refer them to resources;

• Provide on-site technical assistance with adapting and using farm equipment and tools and with modifying farm operations and buildings;

• Provide education to help prevent further injury and disability;

• Provide training to help educators and other rural professionals upgrade their skills in assisting farmers with disabilities

People eligible for AgrAbility services may have any type of disability (physical, cognitive or illness related). Examples are listed on the AgrAbility Web site.

For more information, contact your State AgrAbility staff. If your state does not have an AgrAbility Project, you can contact the national staff through either the University of Wisconsin (866/259-6280) or the National Easter Seals organization (800/914-4424).

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