AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians Project (AgrAbility PA) named Pequea Valley FFA and Grassland FFA as winners in the 2019 AgrAbility PA Contest.

The contest provides an opportunity for any Pennsylvania FFA Association chapter to make a positive impact by enhancing independence or promoting success for farmers and their families with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

The winners were selected from two categories:
1. Develop an assistive technology model
2. Complete a service project centered on helping people with disabilities

Two students with Pequea Valley FFA won for their development of an app-based feeder as an assistive technology model. Students with Grassland FFA won for their service project at Saddle Creek Farm. Each chapter will receive a $400 award.

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Students were recognized on June 11 during Pennsylvania FFA's 90th State Convention & Activities Week at Penn State. Dr. Connie Baggett, who serves as AgrAbility PA’s Project Director and is a Penn State Associate Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, presented the awards on stage alongside AgrAbility PA Project Assistant Abbie Spackman.

“We are pleased to recognize these students, in conjunction with their FFA chapter, whom exemplify not only the core principles of the Pennsylvania FFA – Purpose, Passion, and Potential – but also for their leadership to serve their communities at large with their time and talents."

Dr. Connie Baggett | AgrAbility PA Project Director

Michael Brammer, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania FFA, thanked AgrAbility PA for offering the contest to FFA chapters as a way to support school-based agricultural education.

Honorable mentions go out to two additional student groups at Pequea Valley High School FFA, students at Blue Juniata FFA, and students at Central Columbia FFA for their entries and submissions this year.

Assistive technology winner: Pequea Valley FFA
Pequea Valley FFA students Nayelly Argueta and Adryan Yothers designed The Click Feeder to help farmers with better accessibility when it comes to feeding their animals. There is an app (Click Feeder) that connects to the feeder, allowing the farmer to release food into different stalls. This eliminates the farmer making multiple trips to feed the animals himself. With the app, the farmer can be anywhere and connect to the feeder.

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Service Project winner: Grassland FFA
Grassland FFA worked at Saddle Creek Farm to replace stall mats and level out the barn floor for safety and accessibility. Students mucked out all 13 stalls, removed and cleaned the mats, filled in with gravel to level out the stalls, and put the mats back in with new bedding. This project should implement a long-term solution to the uneven floors. AgrAbility PA has worked with owners Jo and Ben Parto over the years to improve accessibility on the farm. Ben recently passed away.

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About AgrAbility PA
For more than 25 years, AgrAbility PA has provided a critical service to the Commonwealth’s agricultural community. AgrAbility PA assists farmers and agricultural workers with a disability or long-term health condition by providing direct services and support they need to live independently and to continue working in production agriculture. Some of the more common disabilities or health conditions that Pennsylvania farmers may have include: arthritis, spinal cord injury, amputation, traumatic brain injury, stroke, diabetes, visual or hearing loss, respiratory problems, and back impairment or joint injuries.

Any Pennsylvanian with a disability or long-term health condition who is engaged in farming or an agricultural-related occupation may be eligible to receive services. At no cost, AgrAbility PA provides:

 · On-site farm assessments to identify barriers to successful completion of tasks

· Identification of safe and appropriate modifications, equipment, or assistive technology

· Peer and caregiver support

· Educational opportunities and resources

· Referrals and information about state and local resources

AgrAbility PA does not provide direct funding, however, the staff works with OVR, PATF, and other third-party funding sources to help farmers and farm families obtain needed equipment, assistive technologies, and/or modifications.

AgrAbility PA is a project funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Special Projects 2017-41590-27105 in collaboration with Penn State Extension. AgrAbility PA is administered as a statewide partnership between Penn State Extension and UCP Central PA.

For more information, visit the AgrAbility PA website or follow AgrAbility PA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Contact AgrAbility PA at AgrAbility@psu.edu or (814) 867-5288.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

UCP Central PA assures equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of age, sex, race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, handicap, sexual preference, life style, political belief, union membership, limited English proficiency, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law.