AgrAbility Quality of Life Study Summary

Quality of Life Study Summary

  • Both the Quality of Life (QOL) and the Independent Living and Working (ILW) levels of AgrAbility participants in 10 states improved (p < .001) (Fetsch, Jackman, & Collins, 2018).
  • The QOL levels of a group of 225 AgrAbility participants in 12 states improved significantly as compared with a group of non-AgrAbility participants whose QOL levels did not change (Fetsch & Turk, 2018).
  • A group of 196 AgrAbility participants’ QOL levels increased 28% on average in 12 states as compared with a group of 97 non-AgrAbility participants’ QOL levels that decreased 4% (Fetsch & Turk, 2018).
  • A group of 196 AgrAbility participants’ ILW levels increased 30% on average in 12 states as compared with a group of 97 non-AgrAbility participants whose ILW levels increased 8% (Fetsch & Turk, 2018).
  • A group of 269 AgrAbility participants’ mental/behavioral health levels improved significantly (p < .001) in 14 states as compared with no change in a no-treatment comparison group (n = 99) (Fetsch & Collins, 2018).

Since 2018 when the above statistics were published:

Investigators examined the variability in the quality of life (QoL) among farmers and ranchers with disabilities participating in the AgrAbility program. Three QoL profiles—Low, Moderate, and High—were identified with differing patterns across physical, psychological, social, and existential well‑being. Over time they saw substantial upward movement between profiles following AgrAbility services, with most individuals transitioning to or remaining in the High QoL profile. Results support AgrAbility’s positive association with QoL improvements and highlight the value of profiling approaches for targeting services to individuals with differing levels of need.

Investigators reported a summary overview of the first 25 years of AgrAbility demographics. Between 1991 and 2016 State or Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs) provided information, education, and service to an estimated 490 new clients per year for a total of 11,754 new clients with an average age of 52 and 75% male. Primary causes of reported disabilities were chronic nonincident-related disabilities (41.7%), non-agricultural incidents (32.2%), and agricultural incidents (19.5%). Typically AgrAbility served clients for one to 74 months (M =14.85 months), because of the severity of their disabilities, the deterioration of their situation, and the years it sometimes took to assist them in reaching their goals. Combining new, ongoing, reopened, and closed case reports, SRAPs served approximately 1,190 clients annually on average with an average age of 52.7 and 78% male.

  • Source: Fetsch, R. J., Petrea, R. E., Jones, P. J., Field, W. E., & Aherin, R. A. (2020). A 25-year overview of AgrAbility demographics. Journal of Agromedicine, doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2020.1837318.

Why do some farmers and ranchers overcome limitations from accidents and illnesses and others do not? Investigators provided a summary review of several articles with data about the successful outcomes from the AgrAbility intervention for farmers and ranchers with functional limitations. The AgrAbility Project increased participants’ self-reports of quality of life, independent living and working, and/or psychological wellbeing. Mastery motivation may be why some participants benefit more than others. This article provides some examples of successful AgrAbility intervention. Participants’ individual mastery motivation propels them to overcome their physical limitations and to return to as many aspects of their ranching and farming careers as possible.

  • Source: Fetsch, R. J., Leathers, C. L., & Morgan, G. A. (2020, February). Why do some farmers and ranchers overcome limitations from accidents and illnesses and others do not? AgrAbility works for most. Medical Research Archives, 8(2). Available at: <https://journals.ke-i.org/mra/article/view/2047 (https://journals.ke-i.org/mra/article/view/2047)>. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v8i2.2047 (https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v8i2.2047).

References

  • Christen, C. T., & Fetsch, R. J. (2008).  Colorado AgrAbility: Enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities.  Journal of Applied Communications, 92(1&2), 57-73.
  • Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. (2018). The effects of AgrAbility on the mental/behavioral health of farmers and ranchers with functional limitations: A comparison study. Medical Research Archives, 6(2). http://www.journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra/article/view/1691/1762
  • Fetsch, R. J., & Grenwelge, C. H. (2023, October 31). Effects of an agricultural entrepreneurial training program with 40 military veteran beginning farmers. Medical Research Archives, 11(10), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i10.4545.
  • Fetsch, R. J., & Jackman, D. M. (2015, December). Colorado’s AgrAbility Project’s effects on KASA and practice changes with agricultural producers and professionals. Journal of Extension, 53(6), Article # 6FEA6. Available from http://www.joe.org/joe/2015december/a6.php
  • Fetsch, R. J., Jackman, D. M., & Collins, C. L. (2018). Assessing changes in quality of life and independent living and working levels among AgrAbility farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 11(2), 230-236. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.08.001
  • Fetsch, R. J., Leathers, C. L., & Morgan, G. A. (2020, February 7). Why do some farmers and ranchers overcome limitations from accidents and illnesses and others do not? AgrAbility works for most. Medical Research Archives, 8(2).
  • Fetsch, R. J., Petrea, R. E., Jones, P. J., Field, W. E., & Aherin, R. A. (2020). A 25-year overview of AgrAbility demographics. Journal of Agromedicine, doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2020.1837318.
  • Fetsch, R. J., & Turk, P. (2018). A quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of USDA’s AgrAbility project. Disability and Health Journal, 11(2), 249-255. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.10.004
  • French, B. F., Fetsch, R. J., & Ullrich-French, S. C. (2025). Exploring AgrAbility quality of life profiles. Journal of Agromedicine, 30, 779-788. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517022.
  • Jackman, D. M., Fetsch, R. J., & Collins, C. L. (2016). Quality of life and independent living and working levels of farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 9, 226-233. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2015.09.002
  • Meyer, R. H., & Fetsch, R. J. (2006). National AgrAbility Project impact on farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 12(4), 275-291.