March 2018: AgrAbility PA Project Highlights
AgrAbility PA spent a portion of the month of March preparing for and participating in the National AgrAbility Project's National Training Workshop, which took place in Portland, Maine. The coastal scenery was mixed with snow and sunshine during our visit!
Several staff members from AgrAbility PA attended and presented at the 2018 National Training Workshop (NTW). Thanks to Maine AgrAbility and the National AgrAbility Project for sponsoring this important week-long conference. It was a great networking, training, and educational opportunity for those involved with AgrAbility to connect and share information, resources, and services to serve the agricultural population. Portland was a great city to take in, and everyone enjoyed the food and fun! Thanks to Strong Arm Lift for making the trip to Maine from Pennsylvania! It was great having them as vendors. More about Strong Arm Lift: www.strongarmlift.com
Farm Aid Presentation at 2018 NTW
AgrAbility PA staff member Kendra Martin collaborated on a NTW session with staff members from Ohio AgrAbility, West Virginia AgrAbility, and Farm Aid's Jennifer Fahy. The presentation highlighted their experiences as exhibitors and participants at the 2017 Farm Aid event. The three SRAPs joined forces to present a hands-on, interactive exhibit featuring adaptive equipment and assistive technology at the event's Homegrown Village. For more on this presentation, visit: http://www.agrability.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Harmonizing-at-Farm-Aid-final.pdf
AgrAbility PA staff member Abbie Spackman joined AgrAbility Wisconsin staff member Ami Cooper and Wisconsin dairy farmer Adam Faustone to present an “Assistive Technology for Dairy Farmers” session during the NTW. Both projects work with a high number of dairy farmers and frequently make recommendations for assistive technology that can help them keep milking. The session highlighted some of the most common recommendations and examples of how the devices have been implemented. Four client stories were shared, including one dairy goat farmer. For more information about the session or assistive technology for dairy farmers contact Abbie Spackman at aes5450@psu.edu or 814-867-5288
AgrAbility PA's Abbie Spackman
AgrAbility PA Project Assistant Abbie Spackman enjoyed sharing tips with new AgrAbility staff members during the new staff session at the NTW. Highlights included: 1. Utilize the National AgrAbility Project Listserv and read the monthly e-note! 2. Do not be afraid to ask questions! 3. Review the resources on the NAP and SRAP websites! 4. Visit eXtension.org for a great list of resources! 5. Be confident! As new staff members you bring new ideas and experiences to the project, speak up! Feel free to contact Abbie Spackman for additional tips.