Minnesota AgrAbility Project
John Shutske, Professor
and Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist
Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Ruth Rasmussen, Research Fellow
Richard Syverson, 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.
Need or Impact
According to the most recently summarized U.S. Census, of
the 57,777 Minnesota residents listing farming as their primary
occupation that year, 6,267 (11%) stated they had a work limitation
or disability. Almost 3,000 (12%) of the 24,354 farm laborers
at that time stated they had a limitation. Each year, the
USDA-funded Minnesota AgrAbility Project provides direct,
on-site consultation with 30-40 farm families, as well as
education to several hundred health professionals and rural
service providers and leaders.
Status
Ongoing.
|
