Tools and Resources for Farmers with Disabilities in Minnesota

You’re invited to join University of Minnesota Extension, Live Life Therapy Solutions, and AgrAbility for two days of learning about assistive technology and other tools for farmers with disabilities. This meeting is for anyone with an interest in helping farmers with disabilities work safely on their farm. That may include vocational rehabilitation service providers, occupational therapists, farmers, agricultural professionals and educators, and more.

October 20, 2025 | 9:00am-4:00pm
1500 Gortner Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55108

Day One will be held in the classroom and will feature a variety of topics including:

• Conversations with farmers about assistive technology (AT) needs
• Assistive technology demonstrations
• Assistive technology assessments
• AgrAbility and approaches to connecting farmers to AT

Lunch will be provided.

October 21, 2025 | 9:00am-4:00pm
Farm visits: South of Twin Cities

Day Two will include visits to two farms to see assistive technology assessments in action. Ned Stoller with AgrAbility and Sue Redpenning with Live Life Therapy Solutions will demonstrate assessments on-farm with farmers, including discussion and real-time practice. Addresses of the farms will be shared with registered participants. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and lunch on Day 2.

Register online at z.umn.edu/AT4farmers by October 15.
This program is offered free of charge and includes lunch on Day 1. Registrants are welcome to attend for both days or Day 1 only. If you have any questions about the program or need accommodations, please contact Emily Krekelberg at krek0033@umn.edu or 612-756-3977.

*Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for RESNA assistive technology professionals. CEUs are awarded once the attendance is confirmed, student passes the post-test, and completes the session evaluation. At the end of the session a post-test will be provided for CEU’s. It will include a session evaluation and 15 multiple choice questions based on learning objectives for that session. A score of 80% is needed for each section to earn credits for that session. The following sessions will be eligible for continuing education credits:

Tools and Resources for Farmers with Disabilities in Minnesota (3 hours on Monday, October 20)

This assistive technology session will explore the process of conducting an agricultural worksite assessment, the selection of AT and modifications, and funding sources of AT and modifications.  The session will also cover the contents of the updated Agricultural Worksite Assessment Tool for Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities.  .3 RESNA CEU will be awarded following a post test based on the learning objectives. The learning objectives are:

1. Define assistive technology.
2. Common causes for abandoned assistive technology.
3. The Human, Activity, Context, Assistive Technology (HAAT) Model
4. Learn where to find assistive technology options.

Dairy Farm assessment interview and observations practical (1 hour on Tuesday, October 21)

This session will demonstrate how to do an assistive technology worksite assessment for workers with medical conditions onsite at a dairy farm. Arthritis, back injury, and amputation will be considered as they restrict these farmers from completing necessary tasks. Functional limitations include mobility climbing equipment, bending over to make repairs, lifting feed bags, gripping hand tools, walking long distances. Learn how to evaluate a worker’s needs and make suitable recommendations for their farm work. We will use observations from this assessment to research assistive technology options.  .1 RESNA CEU will be awarded following a post test based on the learning objectives. The learning objectives are:

1. Practice interviewing the farmer.
2. Practice making observations of the farm.
3. Discuss potential assistive technologies with the farmer.

Crop Farm assessment interview and observations practical (1 hour on Tuesday, October 21)

This session will demonstrate how to do an assistive technology worksite assessment for workers with medical conditions onsite at a crop farm. Brain injury and paralysis will be considered as they restrict these farmers from completing necessary tasks. Functional limitations include mobility climbing equipment and operating controls. Learn how to evaluate a worker’s needs and make suitable recommendations for their farm work. We will use observations from this assessment to research assistive technology options.  .1 RESNA CEU will be awarded following a post test based on the learning objectives. The learning objectives are:

1. Practice interviewing the farmer.
2. Practice making observations of the farm.
3. Discuss potential assistive technologies with the farmer.

The trainer for these sessions is Ned Stoller, National AgrAbility Project. Ned Stoller has a BS in agricultural and biological engineering from Purdue University (1997) and is a RESNA certified Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist/Assistive Technology Professional and agricultural engineering consultant for Michigan AgrAbility, National AgrAbility, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Fulfilling Life Ministries. Since beginning his assistive technology career at Purdue University in 1998, Ned’s mission has been to encourage people with disabilities that they are loved by God and have great value and can find dignity in work.