PSU students raise funds to benefit a young farmer with a disability

Published by agrabilitypa on March 6, 2017March 6, 2017

Penn State University students in agricultural fraternities, a sorority, and several clubs held a “Penny War” and spaghetti dinner at University Park which raised nearly $1,000 for a farmer with a disability.

Kyle, a young beef farmer, sustained an injury from a PTO entanglement incident.

A young beef farmer in northern Pennsylvania, named Kyle, sustained an injury from a PTO entanglement incident. Since the incident, he has been working hard to regain his ability to work on the family farm using a prosthetic leg. AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians (AgrAbility PA) began working with Kyle to help him safely and productively overcome obstacles he faces on the farm.

Lewis Frame, a member of Delta Theta Sigma, organized the fundraiser to help Kyle purchase assistive technology to use around the farm. Members of Delta Theta Sigma, Alpha Zeta and Sigma Alpha participated in the Penny War competition. The dinner was hosted by Alpha Zeta and was attended by many people from the community. Support also came from the Poultry Science Club and the Collegiate Farm Bureau. AgrAbility PA also received a donation from Collegiate FFA to provide additional assistance to Kyle.

Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities for someone with a disability. For Kyle, assistive technology means many items and types of equipment on the farm. These funds will be put towards the purchase of accessible tractor steps and automatic gates. These devices will reduce the repetitive, strenuous movements on his leg and make it easier for him to move around his farm.

If interested in donating to Kyle or AgrAbility PA in general, contact Project Assistant Abbie Spackman at 814-867-5288 or aes5450@psu.edu. Learn more about the AgrAbility Project by visiting www.AgrAbilityPA.org or search @AgrAbilityPA on social media.

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians (AgrAbility PA) is a statewide partnership between Penn State Extension and UCP Central PA in support of a project funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

The AgrAbility PA project is designed to assist farmers and agricultural workers with disabilities or long-term health conditions by providing the resources and support they need to live independently and to continue working in or return to production agriculture.