Missouri Farmers Featured In AgrAbility Virtual State Fair
Missouri AgrAbility state director Karen Funkenbusch, left, meets with farmer Carey Portell to discuss ergonomics and working more efficiently on the farm.
AgrAbility will hold a virtual state fair throughout October. Missouri farmers, including Portell, will be featured on Oct. 7.
COLUMBIA, MO.
AgrAbility projects from 19 states, including Missouri, are part of the AgrAbility Virtual State Fair in October.
The event offers help for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers with disabilities or chronic health conditions, said Karen Funkenbusch, state director of the Missouri AgrAbility Project and a University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist.
Every day in October, AgrAbility state projects will highlight farmers and ranchers through “Cultivating Accessible Agriculture.” Missouri farmers and ranchers are featured on Oct. 7.
Short videos on Facebook and Twitter will tell about the latest assistive technologies, resources, safety tips and more.
“Many state and county fairs and other agricultural events were canceled or postponed due to safety and health concerns during COVID-19,” said Funkenbusch.
The AgrAbility Virtual State Fair coincides with the 75th annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Follow the event on Facebook (@AgrAbility Virtual State Fair(opens in new window)) or Twitter (@AgrAbilityVSF(opens in new window)) and read stories about people who benefitted from AgrAbility services at AgrAbility.org/25years(opens in new window).
AgrAbility also serves veterans, beginning farmers, and underserved and disadvantaged populations.
About AgrAbility
Authorized in the 1990 Farm Bill, AgrAbility is a grant-funded program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. AgrAbility consists of the National AgrAbility Project and state/regional AgrAbility projects. Each project involves a collaboration between a land-grant university and at least one nonprofit disability services organization.
Missouri AgrAbility is a partnership of MU Extension, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension’s Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program and the Brain Injury Association of Missouri.
Learn more at AgrAbility.missouri.edu. Contact the Missouri AgrAbility Project at AgrAbility@missouri.edu or 800-995-8503. ∆