Advisory Council
What does the advisory council do for Oklahoma AgrAbility?
Advisory council members represent organizations that are involved with agriculture, health care and services for Oklahomans with disabilities. They serve as valuable connections to a wide variety of organizations who support and collaborate with Oklahoma AgrAbility.
The council meets quarterly with the Oklahoma AgrAbility staff to discuss Project activities and progress on Project objectives and goals. Council members provide suggestions and opinions based on their individual and organizational relationships with AgrAbility. Their guidance is vital in advancing Oklahoma AgrAbility programs.
Meet the advisory council
Charlotte "Charlie" Bowen, MA
University of Oklahoma—National Center for Disability Education; Training
Bowen is a general employment trainer for the National Center for Disability Education and Training at the University of Oklahoma. She served as the program manager for Oklahoma’s Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) from Dec. 1, 2002 to Feb. 28, 2007 and prior to that she was the executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma (BIA-OK) from April 20, 1994 through Nov. 22, 2002. She is the wife of a farmer, the stepmother of a person with a brain injury and has her MA in Christian Counseling.
She serves on various task forces and advisory councils including Oklahoma’s Olmstead State Planning Committee, Oklahoma Health Care Authority Opportunities for Living Life Advisory Board, and numerous ad hoc short term planning committees working on issues effecting people with disabilities. Bowen has attended and presented at numerous workshops and seminars concerning traumatic brain injury, independent living philosophy and other issues concerning individuals with disability.
Andrea Braeutigam, J.D., LL.M.
Program Manager, Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation ProgramBraeutigam is an attorney specializing in family, civil and commercial mediation, and program design and evaluation. The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program provides mediation for USDA agencies and Oklahoma producers concerning rural living issues.
Andy Fosmire, M.S.
Executive Director,
Rural Health Projects/NwAHEC
Fosmire directs the activities of Rural Health Projects and maintains a small cow/calf operation. Rural Health Projects/Northwest Area Health Education Center is a regional center of the Oklahoma AHEC, which strives to improve access to health care in rural communities.
Melinda Fruendt
Project Coordinator,
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation,
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
Fruendt is a project coordinator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (OKDRS). She serves as the liaison from OKDRS to the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project and represents the agency on the Oklahoma AgrAbility Advisory Council. Fruendt is also a member of the OKDRS AgrAbility Cadre.
Phyllis Holcomb
Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Kellyville
Holcomb has an extensive background in agriculture and Extension. She earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics at Northeastern State College. After graduating she became a home economist with K-State Research and Extension in Elk County, Kan. She also worked with the 4-H program in the county.
Holcomb serves on the rural water board, state Farm Bureau board of directors, county Farm Bureau women's committee, teaches Sunday School, is a Chamber of Commerce member and VoAg committee for the Chamber.
Bill Inman
Agriculture Business Management Coordinator, Central Tech Technology Center
Inman is a lifetime farmer and rancher who coordinates and teaches agriculture business management for Oklahoma CareerTech. He also spent 31 years in the National Guard as a civil engineer.
James Kuhn
Member, Oklahoma Farmers Union
As a farmer and member of Oklahoma Farmers Union, Kuhn represents OFU on the council. He has farmed for 35 years and is an active member of other farm organizations and his community. He also served as an officer in the Naval Reserve.
Paul Parham
USDA-NRCS, Atoka
Paul Parham has been employed as a soil conservation technician with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for more than 9 years in Atoka, Okla. He has served as the Disability/Veterans Emphasis program manager for approximately 3 years and has served on the AgrAbility Advisory Council representing his agency.
Parham is also a retired disabled Air Force Officer with more than 20 years of active service.In July 2009, he was elected as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Oklahoma State Commander. The Oklahoma DAV has a current membership in excess of 17,000 disabled veterans.
Having recently moved to a small farm in the country, Parham has a much greater appreciation for the challenges disabled individuals must face every day to remain on the farm and do everyday tasks.
"Disability is the key word here and we should all be proponents to ensure every effort is made to help those less fortunate," Parham said.
William J. Pettit, D.O.
Assistant Dean for Rural Health and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, OSU Center for Health Sciences
Pettit came to the OSU Center for Health Sciences in 2002, after working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corp and working in an acute care clinic. He was raised on a farm in Iowa.
John & Gaye Pfeiffer
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Mulhall
Val Schott, M.P.H.
Director, Center for Rural Health/OSU Center for Health Sciences
Schott has worked in rural health for the last 14 years of his 30-year health services career. The Center for Rural Health helps prepare OSU Center for Health Sciences medical students for careers in family practice and primary care in rural Oklahoma.
How can we help you?
Oklahoma AgrAbility welcomes information and referral calls or e-mails from anyone with a question or concern related to the participation in agriculture of people with disabilities.
Oklahoma AgrAbility provides services throughout Oklahoma.
AgrAbility Extension
211 Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-2398
Fax: 405-744-6059
E-mail: ability@okstate.edu
AgrAbility & Oklahoma ABLE Tech
1514 West Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-5182 or 888-885-5588 (voice/tty)
Meet the staff | Meet the Advisory Council
Click here to view the Oklahoma AgrAbility brochure