Oklahoma AgrAbility Newsletter
Spring 2008 • Volume 7 • Issue 2
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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
In the news: AgrAbility Day at the Capitol scheduled for May 5
Oklahoma AgrAbility completes successful sixth year
Finance 101: Plan to achieve self-support with Social Security resources
access: AgrAbility helps make gardening for every body
Attending AgrAbility Day at the Capitol
Headline news: AgrAbility Day at the Capitol scheduled for May 5
AgrAbility Day at the Capitol will be held May 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to increase state legislators' awareness of the importance of the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project to the success of agricultural producers who have disabilities.
In 2007, the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act was passed and became law. The act created but did not provide funding for the state Oklahoma AgrAbility Project.
During AgrAbility Day, Oklahoma AgrAbility clients will have the opportunity to explain to state legislators the impact of Oklahoma AgrAbility on their lives and its importance to the futures of other producers with disabilities. In addition, exhibits and demonstrations showcasing the services and accomplishments of Oklahoma AgrAbility will be available in the fourth floor rotunda of the Capitol building.
If you wish to attend and would like more information about how you can participate, call 888-885-5588 (voice/tty) or e-mail ability@okstate.edu.
Oklahoma AgrAbility completes successful sixth year
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project works each year to increase awareness about and meet the needs of Oklahoma agricultural producers with disabilities and their families.
From April 2007 through March 2008, which was AgrAbility's sixth year in Oklahoma, on-site visits were made to 47 farmers and ranchers in 30 of Oklahoma's 77 counties.
In addition, 40 people with a variety of injuries or impairments were provided with resources about farm-site modifications. More than $4,500 in grants was awarded to Oklahoma AgrAbility clients by the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation, which is an Oklahoma AgrAbility Project partner.
Oklahoma AgrAbility and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services continued a partnership to increase agriculture-related services for Oklahomans with disabilities. DRS provided nearly $30,000 in assistive technology funding for AgrAbility clients, and Oklahoma AgrAbility educated about 300 DRS employees about the employment needs of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers with disabilities.
More than 6,000 people were educated through trade shows, media outlets and public awareness events about disability issues faced by and solutions for overcoming disability-related barriers for Oklahoma agricultural producers. Oklahoma AgrAbility also continued providing educational experiences for students through a clinical education seminar with the Langston University physical therapy program and two intern programs.
Oklahoma AgrAbility was recognized by advisory council member Oklahoma Farm Bureau, which adopted a resolution in November supporting establishment of a permanent Oklahoma AgrAbility Project. In January, the American Farm Bureau Federation adopted a similar resolution that originated from Oklahoma in support of the National AgrAbility Project.
In addition, the state Oklahoma AgrAbility Project was officially established when the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act became law in November.
For more information, call Oklahoma AgrAbility at 405-744-2398 or e-mail ability@okstate.edu.
Finance 101: Plan to achieve self-support with Social Security resources
Many people with disabilities would like to return to work but are not aware of the resources available to them to achieve their work goals.
A Plan for Achieving Self-support, which is a provision of Social Security income, helps people with disabilities who want to work, qualify for SSI and have other income or resources to get a job or start a business.
A PASS helps eligible people set aside money for items and services needed to achieve a specific work goal. Purchases made through a PASS may include supplies to start businesses, school expenses, equipment and tools, transportation and uniforms.
Through a PASS, an individual's need for Social Security benefits may be reduced or eliminated.
To set up a PASS, a person with a disability must set a work goal and determine the requirements for achieving it. If the work goal is self-employment, a business plan also must be created.
Work goals included in a PASS must be specific, can be based on a vocational rehabilitation assessment and must match the applicant's strength and abilities. A PASS also must include a specific timeline and milestones, and necessary expenses beyond everyday living expenses.
Once the PASS is prepared, it should be submitted to the Social Security Administration office, which sends it to PASS experts who will work directly with the applicant during the review process. Once a PASS is approved, the PASS experts continue to work with clients to ensure plans to reach work goals are followed.
PASS Success
Donald, an AgrAbility client in eastern Oklahoma, wanted to continue his cattle operation but needed specific equipment. He worked with the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project to obtain funding for the equipment through a PASS.
Oklahoma AgrAbility assisted Donald with setting his work goals, estimating expenses, writing his plan and submitting the plan to the Social Security office. In addition, Oklahoma AgrAbility assisted Donald with making changes recommended by PASS experts.
Through his PASS, Donald has purchased cattle handling equipment and creep feeders, which have helped him increase the efficiency of his operation and maintain his position as the owner of a small herd of cattle.
For additional information
For more information about creating and submitting a PASS, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call Oklahoma AgrAbility at 888-885-5588.
Focus on access: AgrAbility helps make gardening for every body
The grass is turning green and leaves are budding again. Spring is here, and it is time to get a head start on gardening.
However, many people are prevented from enjoying their gardening passion. They cannot move around their gardens because the rows are narrowly spaced, the flower beds are wide and require sitting on the ground, or they become tired and sore before completing all of their gardening tasks.
With the right resources and tools, existing gardens may be modified or new gardens may be planned so all people may enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening. Gardens including such modifications are accessible gardens.
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project can help clients, Extension educators and other professionals who want to learn more about creating accessible gardens, gardening with a disability or preventing injuries when gardening.
The resources available through Oklahoma AgrAbility include recommendations for purchasing modified and ergonomic tools; accessible garden design considerations; and reference materials about tool modifications, ergonomic gardening practices and building accessible gardening spaces. A demonstration kit with modified and ergonomic gardening tools also is available for checkout to Extension educators, and Oklahoma AgrAbility staff members are available to facilitate workshops about accessible gardening.
Putting the resources to work
In Delaware County, the Master Gardener and 4-H programs used resources from Oklahoma AgrAbility to guide construction of a container garden at the county fairgrounds, and that project spurred other accessible gardening activities in the community.
"It was the intent of 4-H mentors, Master Gardeners, community members and Extension staff to instill an appreciation for gardening and increase the knowledge of the value and health benefits of eating fresh produce while promoting OSU Extension projects," said Barbara Denney, Delaware County Extension director and family and consumer sciences/4-H Extension educator.
Denney's original idea was to create a container garden that would help accomplish those goals.
Denney obtained grant funds to help pay for construction costs, and community members donated materials and labor to help complete the garden, which is visible from Highway 59.
"As a result of the highly visible setting along the highway, with the change of scenery from a plain gravel parking lot to pretty flowers and growing vegetables, community awareness and public relations developed as commuters observed the progress," Denney wrote in a report about the grant.
Denney also said more materials would have been donated for the garden, except community members chose to create their own gardens after learning about the benefits of gardening through the county Extension project.
Other community members realized the value of the gardens in other settings, including schools. The superintendent of Grove Public Schools donated a leaky stock tank to the Grove YMCA After School Program to use as a container garden, and other schools in the county are interested in creating similar gardens.
"It's my goal to get a school garden at every school in Delaware County," Denney said.
Accessible gardening tips
Whether designing a new accessible garden or modifying an existing garden to increase accessibility, certain aspects of the garden's design should be considered, including width of entry points, arrangement of beds, availability of sitting areas, slope and surface of pathways, the need for hand rails, access to tools and equipment, and types of beds.
The best types of beds for an accessible garden will vary with the purpose of the garden and the abilities of the gardener or gardeners. Traditional beds may be used in an accessible garden, as long as appropriate accommodations for disabilities are made.
Container and raised beds are popular alternatives to traditional beds, particularly in community gardens and when gardening space is limited. A wide variety of containers - such as stock tanks, tires, shoes and pottery - may be used to add a creative touch to gardens and meet space requirements.
When using raised beds, the height and width of the beds must meet the needs of the gardener and be ergonomic. Raised beds typically are six inches to two feet tall, three to four feet wide and 10 to 20 feet long, depending on the gardener's strength, endurance and mobility level.
After the garden is designed, tools should be selected carefully to ensure gardeners gain the most enjoyment possible from working in the accessible garden. Modified and ergonomic tools may be purchased from several businesses, or simple modifications may be made to tools already owned.
For additional information
Oklahoma AgrAbility can provide more details about acessible gardens and modified tools. To obtain more information, call 405-744-2398 or e-mail ability@okstate.edu.
Attending AgrAbility Day at the Capitol
Clients who would like to attend AgrAbility Day at the Capitol should call Gwen Doshier, AgrAbility program assistant at 888-885-5588.
Legislative guides will be available to assist clients with navigating the Capitol building and speaking with their respective representatives and senators. Assistance also may be available for travel to Oklahoma City.
Please notify Oklahoma AgrAbility of your plans to attend AgrAbility Day as soon as possible to ensure assistance will be available.
On the horizon: AgrAbility updates and events
April
2: Ag Day at the Capitol, Oklahoma City
5: Farm safety day, Enid, Okla.
8: Advisory council meeting, Stillwater, Okla.
22: DASNR Day at the Capitol, Oklahoma City
May
5: AgrAbility Day at the Capitol, Oklahoma City
8: Farm safety day, Pawnee, Okla.
9: Farm safety day, Sayre, Okla.
July
8: Advisory council meeting, Stillwater, Okla.
In the news: Spotlight on Oklahoma AgrAbility
Media coverage
• High Plains Journal, Feb. 11, Oklahoma AgrAbility Project receives Farm Bureau support, http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/feb08/feb11/OklahomaAgrAbilityprojectre.cfm?login=now
This newsletter was supported in part by USDA-CSREES grant award number 2006-41590-03434.