Agrability Chit-Chat, Newsletter
Vol. 2, No. 2 -- February, 2000
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IN THIS EDITION:
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CARM'S COMMENTS
I first got to know Ron Bradley about a year and a half ago when I went to a peer support training workshop in Ames. He is the peer support leader in Southeast Iowa.
Ron had a traumatic accident in 1987 that left him a double amputee. He has accepted his disability and likes to help others who are faced with the challenges of disabilities.
Ron recently moved to Moscow, Iowa-- his home is high on a bluff where he can watch eagles and other wildlife from his kitchen window. He did most of the remodeling himself. He does a lot of woodworking and also plants a large garden.
Ron is never home. While he was on his trip I tried MANY times to get him and left e-mail and phone messages. Finally one day he called and said, "what's up?" He proceeded to tell me he had been in the Philippines. HOW GREAT! Most of us would never have such an opportunity. I felt each of you would like to know what a person with a disability is able do. Here are his comments:
"Hello Carmen, I just got home from a trip to Asia. We went to Narita, Japan - nice but expensive - and then we went to Cebu, Philippines and did some tile work over there to help build a house. This is the second project I have been involved with. It was 90 degrees and 100% humidity, but I'm not complaining because it was a nice trip over all. I took a lot of pictures and met a lot of new friends.
We had about 100 hours of flying time. Northwest Airlines' people are some of the best I've experienced so far. I love to travel, and since I have become disabled, they have my wheel chair at the plane door at every stop. Just nice people to travel with.
Carmen, we ate four pigs during our stay, and the Filipinos do know to roast a GOOD whole hog!! The Pesos are up to 40 to the dollar. The last time it was only 25. I got to do more sight seeing this trip.
Came home without a coat and got out of the plane at the Cedar Rapids Airport BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" (CS)
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AGRABILITY
AgrAbility families are farm families with disabilities. While disabilities make farming a challenge, farming continues to be of prime importance. Staff from Easter Seals FaRM Program provide assistance to accommodate disabilities while ISU Extension offers education in a variety of different ways to assist people in production agriculture. (LL)
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FARMERS, AT RISK
According to Bob Jolly, ISU Extension Economist, a significant segment of Iowa's family-operated commercial farm businesses are potentially at risk. Why? Two key factors: 1) overproduction, and 2) restructuring of the industry. For more information, check these web sites:
http://isufarmeconomyteam.org/alone/finance.html and http://www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/communications/FarmF in2/1863.html) (LL)
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WE CAN HELP
What does the future hold for Iowa farmers, rural agribusinesses and communities? How can producers use challenges as opporutnities? What can you do as an individual farmer, and how can groups of producers have greater control over the food supply chain?
AGRABILITY HAS RESOURCES FOR YOU, the farmer, to help you understand your alternatives and then to provide you with the tools to plan and manage for success.
Contact your County Extension Office--the front door to Iowa State University Extension. On the internet, enter this address: http://www.exnet.iastate.edu -- and then click on County and Area Offices (in the yellow rectangle on the left side of the screen). Select your county by clicking its location on the map.
Information available to you includes the following:
1. Free consultations with field specialists assisting you with such programs as FINPACK, a computerized analysis of farm business records, and referral to other services that may be useful. Agricultural specialists are also available for agricultural engineering, beef/beef forage, crops, dairy, dairy/beef & forage, farm management, horticulture, livestock, and swine. Go to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/communication s/ag and click on "Field Specialists" on the left side of the screen.
2. Free publications available either in your County Extension office or over the internet. The list of publications is available to you at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/pubs
3. Educational sessions on such topics as Pork Direct Marketing, Cow/Calf Seminars, Crop Production for 2000, Soil Fertility Workshop, Master Gardner (training in horticulture for local people who have an interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and gardens), and many, many more. See web page at http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar
4. Small farm opportunities including involvement in Practical Farmers of Iowa ("Farmers helping farmers make decisions"): http://metalab.unc.edu/farming- connection/localcon/groups/pfi.htm, or Strategic Advantage, specialists who focus on management and strategies that will help both the farm business and the farm family. For more information see http://www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/communications/str ategic_public/homepage.html
5. Iowa Concern hotline (800-447-1985; TTD, 800-735- 2942) where someone is available at all hours, all days, to respond to financial questions, legal issues, and family transitions.
Contact Easter Seals FaRM Program (essia@netins.net 515-289-1933) for help on the farm in these areas:
Agricultural worksite modification consultation
Rural independent living services
Rural independent living services
Alternative agricultural exploration
Contact the AgrAbility Peer Support Specialist for peer support services (cschacht@powerbank.net, ph. 319-547- 2932) (LL)
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Let Carm know by March 7 if you plan to attend COME! CHAT WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!
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(CS)
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FREE GLOVES!
Three good quality right hand gloves are available from a person with an amputation. Please contact Tracy at 515- 289-1933, x251, email essia@netins.net, or mail request to P.O. Box 400, Des Moines, IA 50333.
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IOWA AGRABILITY - A joint effort of ISU Extension and the Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of Easter Seals Iowa. The program can help farm family members with a disability stay in farming.
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This electronic newsletter from the Iowa AgrAbility Project will be sent monthly to AgrAbility families and other interested individuals. Please send comments and suggestions to:
...and justice for all. The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, and disability.
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