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September 2000  You
Are Here.
September
2000
AG PROGRESS DAYS
The 2000 Ag Progress
Days saw AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians relocated from the 'Family Room'
building to the 'Agricultural Safety and Health' tent next to the Farm
Safety Demonstration arena at the end of West 6th Street. Besides AgrAbility,
the tent housed exhibits highlighting interactive farm safety demonstrations
and information as well as the Agromedicine Project.
AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians hosted a special event at this year's Ag
Progress Days. The first 'Snack & Chat' reception for all AgrAbility
farmers and Advisory Group members was held on Wednesday, August 16th
at the Agricultural Safety & Health tent. The 'Snack & Chat' reception
provided an informal time for farmers to talk with other farmers about
their agricultural operation, how their disability impacts their farm
operation, and modifications to their equipment or farming methods. AgrAbility
staff hopes to continue the reception as an annual event at Ag Progress
Days.
Another exciting activity for AgrAbility was having the 'Rural & Independent!'
photo exhibit on display at the Special Events Building at Ag Progress
Days. This is the first year that it has been on exhibit at Ag Progress
Days and we were thrilled with the opportunity. 'Rural & Independent!'
show the positive role of assistive technology in the lives of rural Pennsylvanians.
Thank you to the many people that volunteered their time at this year's
Ag Progress Days. The volunteers interacted with the farm families, helped
with the Snack & Chat reception, and staffed the farm safety demonstrations.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Somerset Farm Safety Day
- Somerset, PA - September 30, 2000
- Mercer County AgrAbility
Outreach - Mercer, PA - TBA
- Susquehanna Valley Mall
Fall Fun Fest - Selinsgrove, PA - October 21, 2000
- 2000 National AgrAbility
Training - San Antonio, TX - November 7-10, 2000
- 2001 PA State Farm Show
- Farm Show Complex - Harrisburg, PA - January 6 - 11, 2001
- Keystone Farm Show - York,
PA - January 10 - 12, 2001
- 2000 National AgrAbility
Training Workshop: Adam's Mark Hotel - San Antonio, Texas - November
7 - 10, 2000
This workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn the latest in assistive
technology and information for agricultural worksites that will increase
your effectiveness when working with rural families.
Program Highlights:
- Half-day information
and resource sessions
- Reception and Poster
Session
- Concurrent Technical
Sessions
- Addressing the needs
of farmers with diabetes
- Low-cost fabricated
tool solutions
- Prevention of secondary
injuries
- Outdoor mobility aids
For more information about the 2000 AgrAbility Training Workshop,
please contact Linda Fetzer at (814) 238-4434 {voice/TTY} or Carol
Maus, National AgrAbility Project Director - Easter Seals at 1-800-914-4424.
NEW GRANT FOCUSES ON THE
SOCIAL COST OF FARM INJURIES
Have you ever thought about the impact of a farm accident? What happens
to a farmer that have been involved in a PTO entanglement accident and
sustained a spinal cord injury? Does he remain active in the Grange, Farm
Bureau, church and civic activities? Does a farm injury affect more than
just the family?
Dennis Murphy, professor and extension safety specialist, and Lisa Davis,
Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, at the Pennsylvania
State University suspect that organizations and communities lose a great
deal when a farmer is killed or disabled. They believe that it is time
to document these losses.
Their research team is interviewing victims, their families, neighbors
and members of organizations with whom victims worked in order to learn
what happens to the community after a serious farm injury. Members of
the team meet with a victim or family member whom has agreed to be interviewed.
Interviewees share how the person was involved in their community.
While individual stories will be kept confidential, the researchers believe
that a picture will emerge from the combined experiences that will provide
a larger view of farmers as key contributing members of their community.
For more information about the project or to participate in the study,
please contact S.M. Robertson at (814) 865-9966 or Agricultural Engineering
Building, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802.
A.D.A. CELEBRATION AT THE U.S.D.A.
The 'Rural & Independent!' photo exhibit from Pennsylvania was highlighted
at the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the American with Disabilities
Act. The photo project was on exhibit at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Whitten Building.
A reception and presentation was held on July 22nd. Featured speakers
included Agriculture Secretary Glickman, Brad Rein, Carol Maus and farmers
from Pennsylvania, Iowa, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Dr. Connie Baggett,
Linda Fetzer, and Jere and Carol Wingert and family represented AgrAbility
for Pennsylvanians at the festivities in Washington, DC.
FROM THE DIRECTORS' DESK ...
Recently, the AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians enjoyed a very successful
Ag Progress Days administered by the College of Agricultural Sciences.
There were a lot of people who worked to make the event such a success.
As such, Linda Fetzer and George Dills are to be congratulated for the
long hours and efforts in this endeavor. Not with standing, thanks go
out to Vocational Rehabilitation, Agromedicine, 4-H youth, agents, and
others who contributed their time.
As we move forward into a heavy harvest season, we need to be extremely
careful as we work with and around power equipment, farm animals, and
farm facilities. It only takes a second of carelessness to start a lifetime
of sorrow. As you see safety hazards, correct or label them. If safety
requires additional education and training, enroll in the appropriate
workshop or class or contact AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians. SAFETY IS
JOB ONE!
Dr. Connie Baggett, AgrAbility Project Director
ADDING EXTRA STEPS AND GRAB BARS
There are many daily activities at the farm that involve a farmer getting
on and off the tractor or combine. For a farmer with a disability, this
can a very difficult task. Not all tractors and combines have the best
step configuration or adequate grab bars. Additional steps and grab bars
can be purchased commercially or fabricated at a local welding shop.
For more information about adding additional steps and grab bars or other
types of farm modifications, please contact George Dills, AgrAbility Project
Assistant at (814) 863 - 7868.
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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