Kentucky AgrAbility

Kentucky AgrAbility client pictures

Barn Builders	peer support network resource for farmers.
Breaking New Ground	resource center for those in agriculture
Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital	Kentucky Easter Seals Society rehabilitation facility.
Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute	promotes independence, productivity, and enhanced quality of life for all people.
JAN	job accommodation network.
Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation	Kentucky agency that assists people with physical or mental impairments in finding or keeping a job.
Environmental Education Center	a collaborative learning facility which connects students, faculty, and staff to the environment through meaningful learning activities. This center will make every reasonable effort to provide access to all members of the Commonwealth while focusing on providing educational experiences that accommodate different learning abilities.

Since 1993, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service has received funding from the AgrAbility Project to provide education and technical assistance to agriculture operators and farm family members who face the challenges of a disability. Farm families may feel that problems such as these make it too difficult to continue farming activities. But with our help, they can! Kentucky AgrAbility assists rural and farm families in overcoming limitations. For example, a typical tobacco and beef cattle farmer or grain producer can remain a vital part of the agriculture industry even after a permanent or temporary disability. Kentucky AgrAbility works to maximize these individual's abilities on the farm. Even if the disabled family member is not the producer, the farm family still suffers. That is why Kentucky AgrAbility also focuses on Kentucky farm women, older farmers, farm children, minorities, and limited resource farmers.

Services

Provide direct on-farm technical assistance, such as modifying tools, equipment, and machinery.
Facilitate networking among farmers with disabilities to share ideas, experiences, and support.
Help find financial support for assistive technology and farm equipment modifications.
Network with national organizations that provide assistive technology for farmers with disabilities.
Access and make recommendations to make homes and farm buildings more accessible.
Refer individuals to appropriate agencies and organizations that best meets their needs.
Train rural healthcare professionals and providers on Rehabilitation Technology in Agriculture.
Participate in rural safety, injury prevention, and disability awareness and education programs.

Read the latest National AgrAbility Quarterly Newsletter to learn how the program helps farmers return and continue productive farming.

The Kentucky AgrAbility Project is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, CSREES, under special project number 99-EDFA-0-3132.