Fall flourishes with activities and events from AgrAbility PA

The AgrAbility PA staff has had a busy fall providing farm assessments, working with PA’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, promoting the Bridging Horizons project for PA FFA students, and representing AgrAbility PA at events around the state.

Here’s a snapshot:

• AgrAbility PA was represented at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Health and Safety Fair on November 15 in Hershey. The fair consisted of health screenings, safety resources, and education opportunities. Mr. Lifty was on hand to teach proper lifting techniques and assistive technology for farming was highlighted through AgrAbility.
  
• AgrAbility Project Assistant Abbie Spackman provided assistive technology information to occupational therapy students at Penn State DuBois during as assistive technology awareness day. The event was hosted by DuBois Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and many assistive technology vendors were on hand to speak to the students. AgrAbility PA was excited to share the unique on-farm assistive technology with the students and network with the other vendors.
• On a legislative front, dozens of statewide organizations, non-profits, and departments gathered in Harrisburg at the Main Capitol Rotunda on October 24 to participate in a Disability Awareness Day, organized by Pennsylvania State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Phila). Participants interacted with Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff to raise awareness for inclusion and equality in the workplace for individuals with disabilities.AgrAbility PA was represented by Kendra Martin, Outreach Coordinator. She had an opportunity to talk one-on-one with legislators about how the project helps Pennsylvania farmers remain in the agricultural workforce despite a disability. John McConnell (pictured with Martin), a cattle farmer from Washington, Pa., talked about his positive experience working with AgrAbility PA and Project Director Dr. Connie Baggett.

  October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. During the event, lawmakers could experience and learn about life as a person with disabilities. Representatives from PA Labor & Industry Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, PA Statewide Independent Living Council, PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Susquehanna Service Dogs, Self Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania, UniqueSource, and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania helped to drive home an important message.

As the busy holiday season approaches, mark your calendar now to come and meet AgrAbility PA at these upcoming events:

PA-WAgN Symposium: Sharing Idea Seeds Across the Rural/Urban Divide
When: December 6, 2016
Where: Celebration Hall, State College, Pa.

This year’s symposium will focus on the art and science of communication. Keynote speaker Lisa Kivirist will share her own experience and that of other women farmers from her new book, Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers. AgrAbility PA will offer important information on services and resources available in the state.
More info: PA-WAgN

Keystone Farm Show
When: January 10-12, 2017
Where: York Fairgrounds – York, Pa.

AgrAbility PA will be present at the Keystone Farm Show, which is the largest commercial farm equipment and service provider trade show in Pennsylvania.
More info: keystonefarmshow.com

Veterans, Military, and Their Families Day at the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show
When: January 12, 2017
Where: PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Pa.

AgrAbility PA will participate in this day, which features a special event planned by PA’s Department of Agriculture and PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs focused on agriculture as a career option for Veterans.
More info: www.farmshow.state.pa.us