Ohio AgrAbility in Action: Ohio AgrAbility workshops and exhibits at the 2018 Farm Science Review

Laura Akgerman – Disability Services Coordinator for Ohio AgrAbility

If you are going to the Farm Science Review September 18 - 20, make sure you stop by the Ohio AgrAbility tent. You can visit our assistive technology and modified equipment vendors, meet the staff and some of our Ohio AgrAbility farmers.

Ohio AgrAbility staff will present several workshops about ways to help people continue to farm or garden despite physical challenges that come with aging, injuries or just repetitive, strenuous work.

Workshops at the Ohio AgrAbility tent, on Land Avenue between Market and Kottman streets

Modifying a Vehicle for Mobility and Independence, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.

  • Mobility is more than walking, it is also the ability to safely get in and out of a vehicle, and to safely (and legally) operate that vehicle. Learn about modifications (high-tech & DIY) that you can use to make your vehicle safer & maintain your mobility

Farm and Equipment Modification, Sept. 18 and Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

  • High tech, low tech and do it yourself modifications and equipment will be discussed. Stop to hear ideas, offer your solutions, or ask for suggestions for updating and modifying your equipment and farm buildings.

Peer to Peer Networking, 1 p.m. daily

  • Join Ohio AgrAbility staff, farmers and equipment vendors to learn about new technology and equipment. Hear farmer solutions for maintaining productivity, independence and safety while farming with a disability

Ohio AgrAbility staff will also be presenting workshops at two other FSR venues:

Designing Accessible AgriTourism, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. in the Small Farm Center Tent at Beef Street and Corn Avenue

  • Is your AgriTourism business accessible to people with disabilities? If it is open to the public, it needs to be accessible. Come learn why and how to make sure your business or event is accessible for everyone.

Gardening as We Age – It Doesn’t Have to Hurt, Sept. 18 and Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. in Utzinger Memorial Garden, On Friday Avenue between Kottman & Market

  • With good work habits and the right tools, you can keep gardening comfortably and safely, with arthritis or other mobility or age-related limitations.

Ohio AgrAbility also hosts several companies and vendors that sell assistive technology and modified equipment and tools. The vendors demonstrate their equipment, talk with farmers to problem solve accessibility issues, and suggest ways farmers can modify their own equipment, or upgrade to newer, more accessible technology and equipment. This year, Life Essentials, McCabe Outdoors, Propel Automation of Ohio, K & M Manufacturing, PWR EZ Systems, and Strong-Arm Lift will be in the Ohio AgrAbility tent.

We hope to see you in the Ohio AgrAbility tent at the 2018 Farm Science Review.

For more information, please contact Laura Akgerman, Ohio AgrAbility and OSU Extension Disability Services Coordinator, at akgerman.4@osu.edu, or 614-292-0622.