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For many people in New Mexico, making a living in rural areas can be tough whether you’re working raising cattle or farming. Imagine what happens when you are faced with a disability. Whether through a disabling accident or acquired disability, this event in a person’s life can cause catastrophic outcomes to their livelihoods and family life. The AgraAbility Project is a program that has been created to help disabled individuals who work in agriculture.
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees this program. This program also oversees state programs in over 21 states. (At this time, New Mexico is not one of those states)
“The project links the Cooperative Extension Service at a land-grant university with a private nonprofit disability service organization to provide practical education and assistance that promotes independence in agricultural production and rural living. The AgrAbility Project assists people involved in production agriculture who work both on small and large operations.”[1]
The national and state projects all work under three major objectives:
- To provide education to build service capacity with health, farm and government service providers on accommodating disabilities and preventing secondary injuries.
- Expand program capacity through networking activities of mutually sharing information and resources with non AgrAbility individuals and organizations.
- Provide farmers with disabilities consultative services and technical assistance that increases the likelihood the farmer can continue to farm successfully; such as, modifying or adapting the agricultural operation, buildings, equipment, and/or tools. [2]
If you have a physical, cognitive or “illness-related” disability, you are welcome to apply. These may include such disability issues as, amputation, back injury, cancer, cognitive issues, mental illness, traumatic brain-injury, but is not limited to those listed.
Who should you contact?
If you are interested in AgrAbility Project services (e.g., training, site visit, on-farm assessments, technical assistance, and other information working directly with the farmer or rancher), please contact your State AgrAbility staff. If your state does not have an AgrAbility Project, or if you have general questions about AgrAbility, please contact the National Project staff through either the University of Wisconsin toll free number (866-259-6280), or the National Easter Seals toll free number (800-914-4424). You can also contact the National Project staff using the Contact Us link on this page, or email an AgrAbility Project staff member using their email address which is provided on the State Projects web page.
The website offers a lot of information and stories related to individuals who have gone through the program. They also offer a quarterly newsletter which highlights these individuals entitled “Agribility Quarterly. There is an impressive resource section to explore both on-line and off. The organization was recently highlighted in the magazine Spinal Column which offers information to folks with spinal cord injuries.
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