Helping to Negate Risk in Farm Management

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians

What is AgrAbilty?

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians assists farmers and farm family members who are coping with a disability or long-term health condition. AgrAbility is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture and is a partnership of Penn State Cooperative Extension and Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania. Currently, there are AgrAbility projects in 24 states throughout the United States.

Examples of Client Disabilities

• Amputation• Arthritis• Back injury• Chronic pain• Head injury• Health conditions

• Hearing impairment• Heart conditions• Respiratory diseases• Spinal cord injury• Visual impairment

How AgrAbility Can Help

• Provide on-site assessments of farm operations• Recommend farm equipment adaptations, home

modifications, & adaptive equipment• Provide peer & caregiver support• Refer families to service providers & funding

sources• Offer education and training

Assistive Technology

• Extra Steps

• Hitches

• Lifts

• Utility Vehicles

• Hand Controls

• Hand Tools

George Townley: Beef Producer• Stroke Victim

Power Lift

Bob Stone:Bob Stone:Replacement Cattle, Replacement Cattle, CropsCrops • Diabetes

• Back injury from farm accident 20+ years ago

• Side entrance skid steer• Silage bagging system

Tim Nowlin:Dairy Producer

• Automobile Accident in 2002• Crushed pelvis• Collapsed lung• Severe internal injuries

affecting the spleen, aorta, liver, & diaphragm

• Broken ribs• Head trauma• Subsequent Staph

infection in pelvis

Speed Hitches

Glen Weaver: Grain, hay

• Cancer survivor• Automatic sprayer

• Prosthetic leg specially adapted for uneven terrain

• Utility vehicle

AgrAbility & Risk Management

• Project Overview:• Individualized support• Partnership with multiple agricultural

organizations to present risk management subjects to wide audience

• Public Service Announcements

Project Overview

• Individualized Support• Farm business planning services to past and

present clients• Provide the resource materials: Making

Decisions at Difficult Times from the Breaking New Ground Project, to all clients.

Project Overview

• Partners in presenting Risk Management subject matter:• PA Farm Bureau• PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture• Keystone Agricultural Innovation Center

Project Overview

• Risk Management Topics• Crop Insurance• Farm Liability & Incident Prevention• First on the Scene Training (Human Resource)• Direct Marketing/Value Added Agriculture

Liabilities & Requirements

Risk Management

• Gene Gantz, USDA Risk Management , discusses crop insurance with producers following a presentation at a Farm Bureau region meeting in Central PA.

Risk Managment

• Eric Rickenbach, emergency services expert, discusses “hidden” farm hazards. Prior to Rickenbach, producers heard from a Loss Prevention Specialist regarding farm liability.

Risk Management

Dave Hill, Penn State, educates on taking risks with farm safety.

Risk Management

• Direct marketing & value added agriculture:• Liabilities and

Licensing

Public Service Announcements

• 30 & 60 second announcements produced at a local radio station• AgrAbility staff copied & mailed to more than

50 country radio stations throughout Pennsylvania

• Bi-annual project to keep spots current

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians

Crystal Smithmyer

cmsmyer@aol.com

814-674-6277