The annual LIFE Project/AgrAbility 1890 Land-grant Institution Workshop will be held at Tennessee State University’s downtown Nashville campus June 7-8, 2022. This will be an exciting workshop that will include two different farmer panels: one composed of AgrAbility clients and the other made up of TN New Farmer Academy graduates, two different hands-on assistive technology sessions from Life Essentials and STAR Center, an aquaponics demonstration, and a variety of sessions that include such topics as value-added ag opportunities, disaster preparation and insurance, farm stress, and urban agricultural opportunities. The Tennessee chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farm Credit, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will also bring presentations.
This workshop is a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers impacted by disabilities, socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers, urban agriculturalists, and veterans to learn about available resources and network with others who have similar interests. In addition, AgrAbility staff, Extension personnel, and other professionals are encouraged to participate to gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced by these audiences and how to better serve their needs. Please share this invitation with your clients and with 4-H/Youth, HHS, and Community Wellness colleagues!
Please note that the last day to register for this workshop is Thursday, June 2, so please forward this email as soon as possible to everyone you think might be interested in attending. The main web page for this workshop and workshop registration can be accessed from the link in the attached document, or directly from here: https://the-lifeproject.com/life-conference.
The lodging room block at the GLO Best Western has a special rate of $139.65/night with taxes and breakfast included, but this special group rate is only good until May 16 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Note also that lodging stipends will be provided for the first 10 farmers or veterans coming from more than 50 miles away on a first-come, first-served basis, so please encourage anyone interested to book their room quickly. Please visit https://the-lifeproject.com/life-conference for lodging details and to reserve your room.
If you have questions about this workshop, please contact AgrAbility at 1-800-825-4264, or email ejsheldo@purdue.edu.
Regional AgrAbility Workshops are a great way to network with AgrAbility peers and other professionals that have a role in assisting our clients.
This Regional Workshop will focus on urban agriculture, working with vocational rehabilitation, prescription medication safety, assistive technology in agriculture, farming with a developmental disability, business planning and work/life balance. On June 28th and 29th, there will be speakers from the National AgrAbility Project, Ohio AgrAbility Project, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, The Ohio State University Extension, H.A.R.D. Acre Farm, LifeLyfts, Farm Service Agency, and others.
There will also be a day of agricultural tours on Thursday, June 30th.
Session descriptions and agenda can be found here.
A nightly rate of $119 is available at the Hilton Garden Inn through 5/28/22. You can reserve a room by clicking on the hotel name. When making your reservation, it automatically defaults to all dates available. Please make sure that you edit the dates to the nights that you will need. If you need an accessible room you can call the hotel at 614-968-5200. Let them know that you are with the AgrAbility Regional Training.
For questions about the workshop, please contact National AgrAbility partners at Goodwill:
Tess McKeel: tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org, 585-447-9015 or JoBeth Rath: jbrath@goodwillfingerlakes.org, 585-402-2059