Oklahoma AgrAbility Newsletter
Spring 2006 • Volume 5 • Issue 2
Oklahoma AgrAbility Receives New Grant Award
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In This Issue
Oklahoma AgrAbility Receives New Grant Award
Oklahoma AgrAbility Receives New Grant Award
Oklahoma's AgrAbility Project has been awarded a new four-year grant from the USDA Cooperative Extension (CSREES) to continue its work with farm and ranch families impacted by disability issues. The AgrAbility grant process is very competitive and reflects the support of agri-business and agricultural community, as well as, the success and commitment of the AgrAbility Partners. The partners are: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, Langston University-Outreach Programs and School of Physical Therapy, ABLE Tech, and the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation.
The new work plan begins April 3, 2006 and will reflect the current priorities of the USDA in providing educational programming, engaging in networking that benefits consumers, and direct service in meeting immediate needs in accommodating disability on the farm and linking people to resources. This newsletter will give you a better idea of other program changes that will be implemented as part of our new four-year grant.
We especially want to thank the Oklahoma farmers, ranchers, and family members who have worked with us over the last four years and those who have been supportive of our mission in promoting success in agriculture for people with disabilities.
Carla Wilhite, OT/L, AgrAbility Program Specialist
A Glance at the Future
Education
Be looking for more educational programming tailored for a variety of audiences and learning styles. Oklahoma AgrAbility will be providing continuing education opportunities to health care professionals in addressing the rehabilitation, health, and wellness of agricultural workers. We will also be partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services to educate vocational counselors and assistive technology practitioners in assisting farmers with disabilities to return to work. Farmers and ranchers with chronic health issues and/or disabilities can expect to see programming for self-management of arthritis, aging in place, and specialized seminars in financial management of agricultural businesses after disability.
Direct Service
Farming families impacted by disabilities will still be able to receive information and referral services, on-site farm assessments, and technical assistance from Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s AgrAbility Specialist. The current AgrAbility Specialist is Carla Wilhite, a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist who has been working exclusively with farming families for the past six years. Carla is familiar with numerous adaptive strategies, assistive technologies, and resources that a farmer may find beneficial for working or living on the farm. She can be reached toll-free at: 888-885-5588.
In response to farm family input, peer support will also be a new direct service feature of the AgrAbility Project. What is a peer advocate? It is a farmer, rancher, or a spouse who has experienced a disability, or caring for someone with a disability, and who feel he/she has adapted well and continue to enjoy life. Trained peer advocates will have the opportunity to volunteer with Oklahoma AgrAbility to provide support and also share their ingenuity in adapting farm activities to accommodate disability.
A select group of farmers, ranchers, and family members will be attending training April 18-19, 2006 to learn how to be a peer mentor. The trainer will be Bob Fetsch, an Extension Educator at Colorado State University. Bob comes from a farming background and has worked with farm families for over 20 years. Topics covered in the workshop include: What is peer support? How can I be better at listening and speaking effectively? How do I make a good referral?
If you are interested in learning more about the program, please call Carla Wilhite at: 405-744-5182 or toll-free: 888-885-5588.
In summary, we will be taking a “whole farm” approach in addressing disability, impairment, and participation in farming through recommending assistive/adaptive technologies to enhance life and work, promoting farm financial stability, and encouraging successful adaptation and well-being.
Networking
Oklahoma AgrAbility welcomes opportunities to collaborate with agencies and organizations that will ultimately benefit our customers. These opportunities may lead to increased or improved services to farmers with disabilities, more funding for assistive technology and adaptive equipment, and expansion of project activities.
Grant in Review
The first four-year grant brought AgrAbility to Oklahoma and has established strong program activities.
- Over 1,000 people provided with information and referral.
- Over 90 farm families were provided with comprehensive technical assistance in accommodating disability on the farm.
- Over 100 on-site farm visits were conducted.
- Participants located over $96,000 to obtain assistive technologies to work or live on the farm.
- Types of assistive technologies funded: tractor lifts, handrails, special tools, wheelchair accessible ramps, vehicle controls, bathroom modifications, etc.
- Established an assistive technology micro-grant program for small farmers with disabilities (funding through the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation).
- Educated over 100 physical and occupational therapists, therapy assistants, and other health care professionals in the rehabilitation needs of farmers/ranchers.
Farm Financial Specialist
Clark Williams has been hired as the Farm Financial Specialist, a new position with Oklahoma AgrAbility.
Clark has been working and teaching at Langston University for 16 years as well as doing outreach with small and underserved farmers. Agriculture has always been a part of his life; he grew up on a cattle, wheat, and alfalfa farm in Payne County and was involved in 4-H and FFA as a youth. He brings a strong financial understanding to the table as well with a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture Economics from OSU and he is working to finish his Ph.D. in Ag Education from Oklahoma State University. Clark is currently serving as President for the Oklahoma Soil and Water Conservation Society and is a Class XI graduate of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program.
As the AgrAbility farm financial specialist, Clark will help farmers evaluate their current situation, encourage financial management strategies, and look into alternative programs and options. Often farmers who have acquired a disability see a decrease in their farm income because they are not as physically able to work the long hours, have to hire additional labor, may have large medical bills, and/or have other management stresses.
Clark will be available to provide consultation on farm financial issues, work through various scenarios (example: farm expansion/contraction, filling business niches, retirement, liquidation, etc.), and be knowledgeable about vocational rehabilitation self-employment and Social Security Work Incentives programs for people with disabilities.
Clark can be contacted at: ability@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-466-6101.
New Project Coordinator
Traci Naile has been named as the new AgrAbility Project Coordinator. She has been involved in agriculture her entire life, particularly horses and livestock. Recently, she completed a master’s degree in agricultural communications to add to the bachelor and master degrees in animal science she already holds. Traci has worked with 4-H programs in Oklahoma and Indiana for the past 7 years and volunteered with therapeutic horseback riding programs as a leader and sidewalker.
Traci will be replacing Rachael Kircher, who departed for California in mid-March. Traci will be a friendly face at farm shows, farm organizations and instrumental in continuing a dynamic web presence for Oklahoma AgrAbility. Along with marketing activities and services, she will be helping to create a large catalog of media that amply demonstrate the abilities of Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers with disabilities who succeed in agriculture.
Other Staff Changes
We will be adding a full-time Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in the near future. The COTA will be responsible for assisting Carla Wilhite with on-farm visits as well as coordinating the peer-support program.
Financial Support
We are always seeking new forms of financial assistance for our farmers and realize that with additional funding we would be able to offer more services. The AgrAbility project has been named a program of priority for the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University. This distinction allows us to be placed on a list of topics for possible funding through the state legislature.
This funding would help support the permanent establishment and viability of the program. Letters of support from farming families who feel they have benefited from working with AgrAbility are especially appreciated.
AgrAbility Partners
Raymond L. Huhnke, Ph.D., PE
Professor, Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
Oklahoma AgrAbility Co-Director
Ray has been a state specialist with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service for more then 25 years. Working in and around agricultural machinery and animal facilities has been a part of Ray’s life since childhood. His areas of expertise and education responsibilities include farm structures, animal housing, agriculture machinery management, and biomass conversion.
Linda Jaco, M.S.
Interim Director, Serentean Wellness Center
Oklahoma AgrAbility Co-Director
Linda joined the Seretean Wellness Center in 1995 as Program Manager of Oklahoma ABLE Tech. She has worked as an educator and administrator in the public schools and in non-profit agencies for over 25 years specializing in services for people with disabilities. Linda serves on numerous legislative Task Forces and statewide committees to impact systems change for Oklahomans across many social areas.
Millee Jorge, Ed.D., PT/L
Dean of Physical Therapy, Langston University
One of Millee’s passions is to advocate for underserved clients. She encourages and works with the students of physical therapy at Langston University to increase their awareness of issues and difficulties farmers and ranchers may face. A holistic approach is taken to gain full understanding of a clients farming operation, financial concerns, and health issues.
Sandy Wade-Penn, M.S.
Program Leader, Langston University
Sandy has expertise in working with small and underserved farmers, ranchers and other rural residents in Oklahoma. She coordinates the Small Farmer Outreach Program with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, equipping farmers, ranchers, and other rural residents with the resources to improve their quality of life.
Carla Wilhite, MNM, OTR/L
Oklahoma AgrAbility Specialist
Carla is a registered and licensed occupational therapist specializing in rural and agricultural health for over 6 years. She has worked with Oklahoma families on facilitating successful participation in agriculture for family members with disabilities and/or health challenges. Carla is familiar with several resources that are available to support return to working or living on the farm. In addition, she spends time educating other health care professionals on the rehabilitation needs of Oklahoma’s agricultural community members, as well as developing additional programming and resources for the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project.
This newsletter was supported in part by USDA-CSREES grant award number 2006-41590-03434.