Oklahoma AgrAbility Newsletter
Summer/Fall 2007 • Volume 6 • Issue 3/4
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NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma State University, Langston University or the National AgrAbility Project and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
In This Issue
access: Arthritis self-management
access: Value-added production
Headline news: AgrAbility gains recognition as official state program
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project received official recognition as a state program when Gov. Brad Henry signed the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act on May 31.
The act, which is effective in November, identifies the existing USDA-funded Oklahoma AgrAbility Project as a state program, although it will not be funded by the state at this time.
More than 17,000 Oklahomans work in agriculture with impairments that limit their abilities to perform tasks related to agricultural production. Oklahoma AgrAbility has directly served more than 100 families and fulfilled nearly 600 requests for information since 2002.
Oklahoma AgrAbility will continue to work with state legislators and agencies to obtain funding for program expansion, including development of additional services and personnel.
Currently, Oklahoma AgrAbility provides educational and technical resources, including on-farm assessments of needs and training for agricultural and health care professionals, through three full-time staff members, one-part time staff member and in-kind support from employees of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Langston University and Oklahoma ABLE Tech.
Expansion plans for Oklahoma AgrAbility include increasing client services through funding for work accommodations and assistive technologies, as well as addition of a health care professional to increase case management services, increasing educational opportunities for professionals and expansion of peer support programming.
Gwen Doshier joins AgrAbility staff
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project welcomed a new staff member in June.
Gwen Doshier joined Oklahoma AgrAbility as the AgrAbility program assistant after completing an internship with Oklahoma AgrAbility in 2006 and graduating from Oklahoma City Community College in May.
Doshier's duties include coordinating the peer support program, conducting farm visits and making recommendations for work accommodations and assistive technologies.
"Gwen recently completed her certified occupational therapy assistant program, giving our AgrAbility Project two individuals qualified for on-site farm/ranch assessments," said Linda Jaco, co-director of the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project. "This enables us to better serve the needs of farmers and ranchers across the state of Oklahoma."
For Doshier, working with Oklahoma AgrAbility is an ideal combination of career and lifestyle. Doshier has an appreciation of hard work and agriculture stemming from her Oklahoma roots and ranch experience, while working as an occupational therapy assistant fulfills her love of working with people. "I love my job, and I'm very excited to be working with an excellent program," Doshier said. "I can't think of a job I could love more than working with Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers, who are truly the core of America."
Students gain experience with Oklahoma AgrAbility
Thirteen students received training in the rehabilitation of farmers and ranchers through the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project during summer 2007.
As part of Oklahoma AgrAbility's goal to increase the capacity of health care professionals to care for agricultural producers with disabilities, Oklahoma AgrAbility offered an internship position and participated in a four-day seminar course presented by the Langston University School of Physical Therapy.
During the past six years, 10 occupational therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy assistant students from the University of Oklahoma, Rockhurst University, the University of Missouri and Oklahoma City Community College have interned with Oklahoma AgrAbility. In addition, about 40 students enrolled in the school of physical therapy at Langston University have participated in the seminar course.
The students' experiences with Oklahoma AgrAbility included site visits and assessments, as well as case studies presented to their peers. Interns also have the opportunity to experience complete case management.
For Amanda Cochran, a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, her internship with Oklahoma AgrAbility provided an opportunity to expand her experiences with occupational therapy and her firsthand knowledge of how important agriculture is to families.
"This was a great fieldwork rotation for me because it exposed me to an entirely different way to work in my profession," Cochran said.
"My fondest memories were those in which I could see how I played a direct role in helping others," Cochran said. "When a family member has an injury, illness or disability occur that threatens their ability to participate in agriculture, it is our job as clinicians or AgrAbility staff to come up with solutions that help them continue their way of life in spite of limitations."
Finance 101: Social Security benefit eligibility
Tom Smith's fall from the hay loft resulted in three fractured vertebra and a broken hip. Smith was a full-time farmer, and his wife, Elaine, worked off the farm part time as a bus driver.
The Smiths were sure Tom would return to farm tasks as soon as he was well, but they realized Tom might not be able to perform the same tasks as before the fall and they may need to restructure their operation to fit Tom's abilities. What they did not know was if Tom was eligible to receive government-provided benefits and how to start planning.
Like the Smiths, agricultural producers with disabilities often may wonder how to find information and apply for government benefits such as Social Security and Medicare. Once agricultural producers and their families find resources, such as the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project, they may wonder what questions to ask.
The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool is an online tool available to assist producers and others with exploring Social Security benefits. BEST screens for general eligibility for any Social Security programs, including Medicare, disability, retirement, survivors, veterans and supplemental income.
BEST provides an overview of potential Social Security benefits available. However, BEST is not an application for Social Security, and people interested in applying for Social Security benefits need to obtain additional assistance regardless of results provided by BEST.
To check Social Security eligibility with BEST, visit https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps7/best/benefits/index.cfm. For additional assistance with disability-related issues in an agricultural setting, call the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project at (888) 885-5588 or visit www.agrability.okstate.edu.
Legislative Update
State look
Oklahoma AgrAbility will continue to work with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources to educate state legislators about AgrAbility services in Oklahoma and seek state funding during the 2008 legislative session.
National scene
On the national level, AgrAbility received more than $3.7 million to continue funding state AgrAbility projects through grants from the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service to land-grand universities. Twenty-one states received funding in 2007.
Focus on access: Oklahomans manage arthritis in agriculture
Many agricultural producers dealing with arthritis-related issues wait too long to obtain medical assistance or make lifestyle adjustments.
Arthritis, which is inflammation of a joint, includes more than 100 conditions that affect joints, surrounding tissues, skin and internal organs. Arthritis reduces physical strength and mobility, causing it to interfere with completion of some agricultural tasks.
If left untreated, arthritis may cause extreme pain and joint deformity, which lessen the potential for treatments and lifestyle changes to restore mobility and decrease pain.
Arthritis affects one in three people, making it one of the most common chronic disease conditions in the United States. Agricultural producers face increased risk for arthritis-related disabilities due to the physical demands of agricultural tasks.
The first step to effectively managing arthritis is to obtain a proper diagnosis, then commit to a treatment plan. The treatment plan may include limits to activities but should meet the patient's needs.
Treatment plans may include heat and/or cold treatments, exercise, medication, stress relief activities and sleep and pacing goals. In addition, agricultural producers may consider simplifying work tasks to require less energy and decrease the stress placed on joints.
Altering tasks may require different tools or equipment, safely omitting or combining steps, or obtaining help with certain steps or entire tasks. Other ways to make tasks easier include
•Organizing the day, including ranking tasks by importance
•Creating an accessible, comfortable workplace by using labor-saving devices and easy-to-grip tools, arranging tools to be within easy reach, gathering supplies before starting work, using a cart to transport items and reducing bending and reaching by raising/lowering a table or bench
•Sitting while working when possible to decrease weight placed on joints
•Alternating difficult jobs with easier ones to spread limited energy over a longer time
•Combining similar tasks
• Doing all the work in one area before moving to the next area.
Joint damage due to arthritis is permanent, but additional joint damage may be delayed or prevented through protective habits such as
•Avoiding gripping objects for long periods of time
•Performing tasks using the strongest joint possible
•Avoiding jarring motions or shocks when operating or servicing machinery
•Avoiding staying in same position for long periods of time
•Finding alternatives to lifting or carrying objects
•Using proper techniques when lifting or carrying objects
•Using caution when entering and exiting equipment
•Wearing quality boots or shoes.
Agricultural producers also work long hours at agricultural tasks, further increasing their risk for arthritis-related disabilities. If producers cannot avoid long work hours, the impact of work may be mitigated by
•Using tractors and self-propelled equipment with environmentally controlled cabs to minimize exposure to dust, noise and temperature extremes
•Using a tractor with the best ergonomically-designed seat to reduce shock, improve support and increase comfort
•Modifying or relocating control levers to reduce the need for stretching and bending
•Using an oversized rearview mirror or swivel seat to eliminate looking over shoulder
•Ensuring the seat has armrests and supports the lower back
•Using a footstool if feet do not rest flat on the floor
•Sitting with head up, shoulders straight and stomach in
•To get up from seated position, place palms on seat next to thighs, bend neck and upper trunk forward as you rise, then straighten knees.
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation, established in 1948, is the nation's leading health organization focused on the needs of about 46 million Americans affected by arthritis.
There are 46 Arthritis Foundation chapters and 150 community service centers, including two in Oklahoma:the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter and the Oklahoma Chapter.
For more general information about arthritis or to become involved with the Arthritis Foundation, visit www.arthritis.org or call the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 568-4045.
Oklahoma Arthritis Network
The Oklahoma Arthritis Network is a statewide coalition of more than 100 consumers, health professionals, business leaders, educators and private/public organizations who work to increase public awareness about arthritis and related conditions and to maximize the quality of life for Oklahomans affected by these conditions.
The network offers programs created by the Arthritis Foundation, including the arthritis self-help course, an aquatics program and the People with Arthritis Can Exercise program.
For more information about the arthritis network, visit www.health.state.ok.us/program/apep or call (405) 271-9444 ext. 56410.
Learn more: Arthritis self-management
Reducing the impacts of arthritis on lifestyle through self-management is possible for more than 1 million Oklahomans who have been diagnosed with arthritis or report having possible arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation Self-help Program is one resource for learning the necessary skills for arthritis self-management, including pain management techniques, developing an individualized exercise program, managing stress and fatigue, medications, nutrition and communicating with family members and health care professionals.
Through the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project, agricultural producers may participate in a six-week program focused on managing arthritis in agriculture. Oklahoma AgrAbility offered a self-help course from May 7 to June 11, and a course is planned for 2008.
Focus on access: Small farmers adding value to Oklahoma
Patrons strolling through farmers markets early on Saturday mornings may notice a wide variety of homemade goods -- jellies, sauces, soaps and decorations -- and wonder how and why people have the time to make such treasures and treats. Some may even ask a vendor, and they may be surprised to learn those value-added products are an important source of income.
Value-added production is about finding ways to increase agricultural production income by adding value to products through packaging, distribution and processing. It may also include entertainment, often called agritainment or agritourism, such as hay rides, you-pick fields or orchards, and even wine tasting.
In Oklahoma, many small agricultural operations have begun to integrate value-added production into daily business, and sales of value-added products often begin at farmers markets.
More than 500 vendors participate in about 35 farmers markets throughout the state, and the Kerr Center found about one-third of those vendors sold value-added products in 2002.
Reasons for adding value to production include federal and state farm policies, ever-changing grain prices and extreme competition for agricultural goods. Middle men in the production chain often collect a majority of the profit from the food chain, so value-added production allows producers to bypass the supermarket and sell directly to the consumer.
"Value-added production is simply the process of taking the raw product that a farmer or rancher produces and then changing or enhancing it into a new product that can be sold at a higher price," said Clark Williams, AgrAbility farm financial specialist.
"Value-added production is simply the process of taking the raw product that a farmer or rancher produces and then changing or enhancing it into a new product that can be sold at a higher price," said Clark Williams, AgrAbility farm financial specialist.
"Value-added production is simply the process of taking the raw product that a farmer or rancher produces and then changing or enhancing it into a new product that can be sold at a higher price," said Clark Williams, AgrAbility farm financial specialist.
Value-added production may provide a way for many producers to supplement their incomes and focus on developing different aspects of their operations, such as business, marketing and customer service.
"By using value-added production, producers may focus more on the business side of an operation," Williams said. "For producers with disabilities, value-added production may be a practical alternative for increasing involvement in agricultural producation."
Producers often struggle with deciding what to produce when adding value-added production to their businesses. One way to venture into the market is to find the right niche market, or find a product that best suits an operation and then determine the exact requirements for that particular market.
"The key to starting value-added production is to find a viable market to sell your product," Williams said. "Marketing plans are a very important aspect to consider when evaluating whether a product will succeed. Oklahoma AgrAbility is available to assist our clients with initial business planning, and the Food and Agricultural Products Center at Oklahoma State University is a wonderful source of information for someone wanting to get started in value-added production."
Market research and planning entails learning what customers want and need, when and where they want to purchase the product and exactly what price they will pay for it. If the producer can meet these requirements, it can result in premium prices.
Some value-added products, such as Head Country Bar-B-Q Sauce become so successful they are sold in major grocery stores.
Earning those premium prices may pose certain challenges, including learning about food processing regulations, and ensuring reliable suppliers of ingredients, equipment and other supplies needed for production.
However, the additional benefits of including a personal touch on products and adding growth potential to an agricultural enterprise may help producers overcome production difficulties to increase profits.
However, the additional benefits of including a personal touch on products and adding growth potential to an agricultural enterprise may help producers overcome production difficulties to increase profits.
"Selling a value-added product will help any producer as long as the value added is larger than the increased time and cost of making the changes to the product," Williams said. "The biggest benefit would be increased profitability due to a larger margin. The benefit of having a larger profit margin is that you don't have to sell as much to generate the same profits. This is very useful to smaller producers that don't have a lot of land resources."
Peer advocate stretches boundaries to meet challenges
From farm to factory and back to farm, Oklahoma AgrAbility has helped one peer advocate come full circle.
Now, Michael Oakley works with the Oklahoma AgrAbility Support Network to help others stay on the farm.
Oakley was raised on a farm in New Hope, Okla., and worked at OI Glass for 36 years. After retiring from OI Glass, he joined Heifer International and became a member of the Logan Livestock Association.
Through his activities with Heifer International, Oakley recently began a cow-calf operation. He also plans to keep a small herd of Spanish boer goats for environmental maintenance and to get his family involved in his operation.
"Trying to get my grandkids involved, to teach them how to make a living on the farm and enjoy the surroundings — that's what it's all about," Oakley said.
Oakley had to learn more about agriculture and his limitations while starting his new enterprises, and an important part of those experiences involved training to mentor new agricultural producers and producers facing disabilities.
"Get stuff accomplished, but enjoy your surroundings and say, 'I can make a difference,'" Oakley said.
"Don't dwell on your shortcomings or disadvantages," he said. "Look at your advantages and what you can do on your farm, and what you can add to your family."
Testing his own abilities helped Oakley become a more efficient agricultural producer. He had to learn how much weight he can lift and how to deal with a variety of work environments, essentially training his body to tell him when to take a break, use a different piece of equipment or request help.
"You make your own boundaries," Oakley said. "There's always something out there that can be an equalizer."
AgrAbility Support Network
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Support Network was established in 2006 to connect farmers and ranchers with disabilities to other farmers and ranchers who have successfully coped with disability. The primary goal of the network is to keep people with disabilities working in agriculture through personal support and assistance.
Oklahoma AgrAbility coordinates the support network by making matches between peer advocates and clients. Peer advocates assist others by sharing experiences and information about acquiring and using assistive technology, working with rehabilitation and financial agencies, and how to successfully adapt to living with a disability and cope with the potential side effects a disability may lead to, including depression, anxiety, stress and medical expenses.
On the horizon: AgrAbility updates and events
Newsletter receives a facelift
Oklahoma AgrAbility will continue to focus on providing information about working in agriculture with disabilities, but you can look forward to more pictures, regular features and learning about the faces of AgrAbility.
Six pages were included in this issue to update you on the events of the summer and fall. However, the next issue will return to four pages.
Please send comments and suggestions about what you would like to see featured in the newsletter or our new look to ability@okstate.edu.
October
9: Advisory Council meeting, Stillwater, Okla.
29-1: National AgrAbility Workshop, Sacramento, Calif.
November
9-11: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Oklahoma City
February
15-16: American Farmers and Ranchers State Convention, Oklahoma City
In the news: Spotlight on Oklahoma AgrAbility
• The Enid News and Eagle, Sept. 20, Local doctor, area lawmaker honored for dedication to rural health, by Tippi Rasp
• The Oklahoman, Sept. 24, Disabled farmers regaining control, by Jennifer Mock
• Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, Sept. 24, Group helps get disabled farmers back in the field (AP)
• Muskogee Phoenix, Oct. 11, All the dirt, by Molly Day
This newsletter was supported in part by USDA-CSREES grant award number 2006-41590-03434.