2002 Annual Report
Extension and Outreach
Minnesota AgrAbility Project
John Shutske, Associate Professor
and Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist
Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Beth Zabel, Goodwill/Easter Seals
Maureen Gaedy, Goodwill/Easter Seals
Kelly Matter, Goodwill/Easter Seals
Objective
- Provide technical education to rural community volunteers and professionals interested in safe disability accommodation for farmers and agricultural workers.
- Provide direct, on-site technical assistance to farmers making worksite
and equipment changes and modifications to accommodate their disability.
Program Description
AgrAbility is a USDA-funded extension education and service project active
in 18 states. The Minnesota AgrAbility Project (MAP) helps people remain
productive and safe in the farm workplace after a disability has occurred.
MAP provides technical services, assessment, and outreach education to
help Minnesota farmers and farm families in accessing disability services.
Spinal cord injury, amputations, orthopedic impairments (e.g. back, knee),
and muscular dystrophy are the most frequent types of disabilities experienced
by farmers using MAP services. Farmers are referred to MAP by extension
educators, farmers who have used MAP services, health care professionals,
social workers, and others who work with farmers.
Outcomes
In 2002, approximately 25 farmers and their families received direct
technical help from MAP. Staff visits the farmer and his or her family
at his or her home and conducts a work-site assessment and task analysis.
Plans for modifications and adaptations of equipment and structures are
given as well as recommendations for devices that can help the farmer
continue to work on the farm. Contact information for people or companies
who sell or design such equipment are provided.
Approximately 200 health professionals, extension educators, and farm
family members received direct education and information about the existence
of the MAP project including an overview of the types of services MAP
can provide.
Two publications are available: Weathervane, an electronic newsletter
is sent weekly and FencePost, a printed paper publication is mailed three
times a year.
Project staff developed and presented an educational workshop dealing
with product and professional liability concerns at the 2002 National
AgrAbility Workshop held in October in Nashville. About 60 people participated
in that event.
Several continuing education and outreach events are being planned for 2003. This includes specialized technical education workshops for health professionals to help them more appropriately treat and care for injuries among farmers and their families, and to help them make appropriate referrals to MAP services.