It’s sum, sum, summertime! The corn is more than knee high across the state and farmers have settled into the season. The AgrAbility PA team has focused on behind-the-scenes client services – working with a wide range of new clients, farm types, and disabilities. A large part of this work Read more…
Spring has sprung in Pennsylvania which equated to temperature swings, periods of rain, and lots of activity across the Commonwealth for farmers as planting season began. The AgrAbility PA staff held a spring meeting with its Advisory Board. Staff reported project updates which included responses and results from farmer/customer surveys, Read more…
It was that time of year…the annual National Training Workshop (NTW) took place March 20-24 in Spokane, WA -- hosted by Washington AgrAbility and the National AgrAbility Project (NPA). Abbie Spackman and Kendra Martin attend the NTW and from the sessions to the special events – it was a memorable Read more…
December brought record-setting warm temperatures across the state. It was over 60 degrees on the last day of the year! The silver-lining is that farm assessments continued forward without weather disruptions. Dairy Farmer and AgrAbility PA Customer Chelsi Shultz shared her story with Farm and Dairy. Shultz was diagnosed with Read more…
At age 5, Garvin Schaffer knew he wanted to be a farmer. Despite health and market challenges, he has made that dream come true. Garvin Schaffer, known by his friends as Butch, grew up on Schaffer Farms and began farming at a young age alongside his father. “Farming was always Read more…
On a cold winter day, Garvin Schaffer found himself dangling upside down from the metal steps of a red tractor. And all he could think about was his knee. “My back was on the ground, but I was hanging by my new knee,” he said. “I was scared that I Read more…
June was a diverse month of activities! Staffer Abbie Spackman (top row, center) participated in a panel discussion during the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA). The “Feeding the Future” Conference was hosted by the PA Dept. of Agriculture on Zoom. The session included over 70 attendees and panelists Read more…
Staff members Abbie Spackman and Linda Fetzer partnered with Penn State Extension’s Farm Stress Team to host and teach “Communicating with Farmers Under Stress” in an online workshop format. A wide range of individuals with various involvements in agriculture attended the interactive training. The duo also presented an NTW session, Read more…
Milder weather in the Mid-Atlantic region continued into the months of November and December – allowing AgrAbility PA to continue on with its scheduled farm assessments. AgrAbility PA participated in a number of online and virtual opportunities to network and raise awareness about the project, including the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Annual Conference, Farmer Veteran Coalition Read more…
AgrAbility PA staff has resumed fully on-site farm assessments for new farmers (with added health and safety precautions due to COVID-19). Staff have been following up with clients who have recently received assistive technology. One farmer purchased a pre-owned, side-entry skid steer with a low-interest loan through the state’s alternative financing Read more…