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March 2001  You
Are Here.
March
2001
AgrAbility Venture Chosen
as Senior Capstone Design Project
Two teams consisting of electrical and mechanical engineering students
from the Pennsylvania State University have chosen to work with AgrAbility
for their senior capstone design project. Each team will be designing
a tractor lift on a model tractor that will be used as an educational
tool.
AgrAbility is excited about the opportunity to work with the engineering
students and to educate them about the realm of assistive technology for
agricultural worksites. Many thanks to Dr. Doug Schaufler and Dr. Mac
Legault for their involvement as technical and farm safety consultants
for the engineering students. AgrAbility would also like to thank Dr.
Murry McJunkin for opening his farm so the students could see two different
tractor lifts in operation.
The students will showcase their final product at the Project Showcase
in April.
Exciting Changes for AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians
The project directors and staff of AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians are looking
forward to an exciting project year. Some of the upcoming changes in the
project include:
- AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians
will host the 2001 National AgrAbility Training Workshop in Harrisburg,
PA.
- The Pennsylvania State University
will name a new AgrAbility Project Assistant/Outreach Coordinator.
- Easter Seals Central PA
plans to hire a part-time AgrAbility Outreach Specialist to increase
professional and public awareness of AgrAbility services.
- Easter Seals Central PA
plans to hire a part-time AgrAbility Farm Service Specialist to work
with agricultural groups and peer/caregiver support network.
- AgrAbility will be working
with a student on an arthritis project who will have display and handout
information ready for Ag Progress Days in August 2001.
If you are interested in the
Outreach Specialist position, Farm Services Specialist position or Arthritis
project, please contact Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania at (814) 238-4434
{voice/TTY} or 1-866-238-4434.
FARM SAFETY SPOTLIGHT: LIVESTOCK HANDLING
Animals have unpredictable behavior. It is important to take special precautions
when working around animals. A person needs to be especially cautious
when working around mother animals and their young. Be sure you understand
some of the more common instincts of animals:
- Animals have strong territorial
instincts.
- Changes in lighting and
shadows may excite or spook animals.
- When an animal is separated
from other animals, it can cause unpredictable behavior.
- They can be frightened by
sudden or loud noises.
- Some animals are colorblind
and have poor depth perception, which causes them to be sensitive to
contrasts in light, movement, and noises.
- Cattle and horses can see
everything around them except directly behind their hindquarters.
Inspection at the farm - Examine
the following:
- That gates, fences, and
pens are in good repair.
- There are no sharp projections
in the aisles.
- Your restraining equipment
is usable.
- Escape gate or path is available.
For more information about
farm safety, contact your local County Cooperative Extension office.
(Article adapted from "Planning Guide" in Agricultural Safety
and Health News, Vol. 12 No. 1, Jan./Feb. 2000.)
Staff Positions Available with AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians:
Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania would like to announce the following
opening with the AgrAbility Project:
- AgrAbility Outreach Specialist:
Part-time position (60 hours/month). This person's main responsibility
will be to participate in various outreach events throughout the state.
Good communication and presentation skills needed.
- AgrAbility Farm Services
Specialist: Part-time position (60 hours/month). This person's main
responsibility will be conducting presentations to farm groups and outreach
at county and state-level agricultural activities. Good communication
and presentation skills needed.
For more information, contact Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania at (814)
238-4434.
FROM THE DIRECTORS' DESK
...
On February 28, 2001, the AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians said farewell
to George E. Dills. George worked with the project for two years where
he did on-site assessments, spoke at numerous meetings, participated in
the national workshop, and was a key liaison person
to Easter Seals. We are very thankful for the time and effort George gave
the project and we wish him well. I am sure that he will still be quite
busy farming about 500 acres of grain crops. Please join me in wishing
George much success.
With George's departure, the project takes the opportunity to move ahead.
The project assistant position has been redefined to include a much heavier
emphasis on working with project partners, interest groups, social services
agencies, rehabilitation hospitals, extension
agents, and secondary agricultural teachers as well as providing direct
services to farmers and farm families with disabilities. This new position
is titled project assistant and outreach coordinator. Hopefully, a new
person will be hired before the end of March 2001. Our next newsletter
will identify this key person with the project.
Dr. Rama Radhakrishna, associate professor of agricultural and extension
education, joined the project on March 1, 2001. Rama's primary duty will
be project evaluator. He has significant experiences and expertise in
this area and is nationally known through his work at Clemson University.
Join me in welcoming Rama.
Dr. Connie D. Baggett
Principal Investigator/Project Director - AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians
The Pennsylvania State University
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT: Jiffy Hitch System
Jiffy Hitch has been in production since 1991. This system is specifically
designed to hitch and unhitch a three-point implement with a tractor.
The Jiffy Hitch System is available in Cat I, Cat II and Cat II Heavy
Duty to fit all tractors from 15 to 115 horsepower. The company states
that the Jiffy Hitch System allows your tractor when equipped with a standard
or heavy duty category II male to hookup to any implement equipped with
a Category I, Category II, heavy duty II female.
Jiffy Hitch Systems, Inc. - 9100 W. Beaver Street, Jacksonville, FL 32220
Phone: (904) 786-2821
AgrAbility staff is available
for presentations throughout the state! If you would like an AgrAbility
presentation at your county or state level event, please contact Linda
Fetzer at (814) 238-4434. For more information about AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians
or to share any ideas about articles for future editions, please contact
either Linda or David.
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The Pennsylvania
State University
Dept. of Agricultural and Extension Education
433 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802
Connie D. Baggett
– AgrAbility Project Director – (814) 863-7415
Linda Fetzer – AgrAbility Project Assistant – (814) 863-7490
Phone: 814-863-7490
Fax: 814-863-4753
Email: lmf8@psu.edu
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Easter Seals
Central Pennsylvania
1300 S. Allen Street
State College, PA 16801
Jeanne Hanlin
– Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania CEO – (814) 944-5014
David Troutman – AgrAbility Case Manager - 814-238-4434 (Voice/TTY)
Phone: 814-238-4434
Fax: 814-238-3721
Email: DTROUTMAN@homenursingagency.com
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