AgrAbility: cultivating accessible Agriculture

What Is New With AgrAbility?

If you would like to join WV AgrAbility's monthly e-mail list, contact Mary Slabinski at agrability@hsc.wvu.edu

April 2010 News

Therapeutic Gardening Gets Attention

AgrAbility took part in the first Therapeutic Gardening Conference. WVSU hosted the conference at the Dunbar Community Center on April 14th. Fifty recreation therapists, occupation therapists, social workers, and activity directors for community centers attended. The purpose of the one day conference was to increase participant awareness of the role that gardening can play in physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and a healthy lifestyle for any person at any level of ability. In addition all types of gardening were on display to show which types fit people’s different needs and settings best, such as hospital, rehab and senior high rise apartments.

The day was broken into three parts. The first part focused on picking the best accessible gardening type to fit its setting. For example, a mobile raised flower bed may be best for a hospital setting where planting a vertical garden may be a good option for a community center. The second part was on garden design. This focused on the construction of different types of accessible gardens, such as raised bed, container, and hydroponic gardening. Garden management was the topic of the third and last part of the conference. This included different ways to irrigate a garden, ground cover, and how to make a garden accessible for any person of any ability. Each part lasted an hour and was made up of four 15 minute presentations.

Call For Proposals For NATW Conference

WV AgrAbility will be hosting the National AgrAbility Training Week (NATW) October 11-14 in Charleston at the Charleston Marriott. The National Planning Committee is now accepting proposal for presentations. Suggested topics include funding sources for assistive technology and modifications, veterans’ needs, peer support for farmers with disabilities, ergonomics, assistive technology, and mental and behavioral health issues that farmers and their families face.

These topics will be given preference but other topics will also be considered.

Proposals are due May 1. If you have questions or would like submit, complete the attached form and send to Paul Jones at jonesp@purdue.edu

Therapeutic Gardening Gets Attention (cont'd)

Participants were able to attend all presentations by rotating through each part. Participants were able to attend all sessions.

AgrAbility staff presented on ergonomic tools, the role of assistive technology in accessible gardening, and how adaptive gardening can reduce injury caused by traditional gardening methods.

Staff demonstrated the proper use of many of the ergonomic tools available for loan through the WVATS loan library. Staff also talked about Contact Melissa Stewart, Agricultural and National Resource Extension Agent at 304-766-1000 or williaml@wvstateu.edu for more information.

Another Great Showing for the Lawn & Garden Expo

AgrAbility made its traditional showing at the annual Lawn, Garden, & Forestry Expo, held at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Mineral Wells. More than 2,500 people attended the Expo over the course of two days. The Expo included speakers on a span of topics ranging from soil testing to hedge and tree pruning. In addition to speakers, vendors and displays represented all parts of lawn and garden care and production, from preserves and salsas to garden and landscape ornaments.

Staff pulled double duty by presenting and exhibiting ergonomic tools. The focus of both the exhibit and presentation was accessible gardening and the proper use of ergonomic tools. Staff demonstrated how to properly use tools as well as accessible gardening techniques, such as raised garden beds.

USDA Announces Water Conservation Project Assistance

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces the availability of $20.7 million in financial assistance funding for Agriculture Water Enhancement Program (AWER) new project proposals. This funding will help producers conserve surface and ground water and improve water quality on agricultural land.

Eligible partnership entities include: States, units of local governments, agricultural associations, and other groups of producers that have experience working with agricultural producers. When an AWEP project area has been approved and announced, individual producers may apply for program benefits through their local NRCS office. To view the full request for proposal, for more information, or to apply, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/AWEP.

Agrability's Upcoming Events

Progressive Farmer Youth Safety Days are coming up. These events promote farm safety to school children by rotating them through different farm related safety issues. Examples include ATV safety, nutrition, disability awareness, fire and chemical safety, sun care, and hydration.

The next AgrAbility Steering Committee will be held May 18th at 11AM. Staff is excited to talk about new projects, ideas and directions AgrAbility should take.

If you are interested in joining, please contact Mary Slabinski at 304-293-4692x1125 or mslabinski@hsc.wvu.edu.

New Agrability Brochure Available

Hot off the press! WV AgrAbility has a new brochure this month! The brochure has a new look, format, and more information on the services that we offer. You can check it out on our web page at www.wvagrability.org.

If you would like hard copies, please contact Mary at 304-293-4692 x1125. Feel free to request several copies if you would like to display them at work or other public spaces.

Annual Extension Educational Dinners Held

The winter weather broke just in time for everyone to safely to attend Extension’s Educational Dinner meetings for farmers. Staff represented AgrAbility at six different district dinners. Staff spoke at each one to audiences sizes ranging from 40 to 120 farmers.

Staff presentations reminded farmers that AgrAbility and assistive technology are not just for post-injury adaptations or managing chronic health conditions after onset. Both can be used by young farmers to help prevent injuries and minimize the effects and causes of chronic health conditions.

Extension's education dinners are traditionally held in winter through early spring. These dinners serve as opportunities for farmers to learn about the latest trends in production management, current chemical and pesticide regulations, and recent developments in animal husbandry. Visit their website at http://anr.ext.wvu.edu next winter to find out where and when these dinners are held in your county or district.

New SARE Handbook on Multifarm CSAS

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) released a handbook on cooperative marketing for community supported agriculture farms (CSAs). The manual gives concrete details on strategies for forming and maintaining a multiform CSA, including advice on staffing, volunteer boards, distribution, marketing, legal topics, and other practical information. Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook is available for download for free or you can order a print copy from its website. This guide is one of the many publications available from SARE Outreach, which features research, practical tools related to sustainable production systems and marketing practices.

Visit http://sare.org/publications/csa.htm to download a free copy or order a print copy.

USDA Seeks Proposals For Conservation Partnerships Projects in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

USDA will use at least $5 million in financial assistance from two programs– the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program to carry out CCPI in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in fiscal year 2010. This funding is available for single state– and multistate partnership projects that address natural resource concerns within six Chesapeake Bay Watershed states– Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Approximately $500,000 of the total finding is reserved for multi-state projects.

Proposals for single state projects must be submitted to the appropriate USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) state conservationist by May 24.

Multi-state and regional projects must be submitted to Financial Assistance Division, NRCS's National Headquarters in Washington, DC also by May 24.

More information is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010-7808.pdf.

March 2010 News

Great Attendance At The Small Farm Conference

All types of farmers came out for The Small Farm Conference, held earlier this month in Morgantown. The conference featured locally produced food for all meals and snacks. Sessions were led by Extension Ag agents, farmers, and experts in specific productions, such as berries, sheep, and vegetables. Topics and sessions revolved around small productions’ current struggles, success and operation strategies.

Staff represented AgrAbility with an information booth and presentation. Staff was kept busy with questions about farm related assistive technology and devices that help prevent injuries. Many attendants also had questions about preventing and lessening the impacts of chronic conditions common to farming, like arthritis and back pain.

Staff also presented Farming Using AgrAbility Strategies: Past, Present, and Future. This presentation highlighted AgrAbility’s accomplishments, services and the needs the program meets, and farm and gardening related assistive technology. The presentation ended with a lively discussion on accessible gardening as gardening seemed to be on the minds of many in the audience.

The conference was a great way to kick-off the new growing season. Happy farming AND gardening!

New Way To Find Agrability's Webpage

AgrAbility's web page is now easier to find then ever. www.wvagrability.org is an easier way to find information on the AgrAbility project and link to the project's full page housed at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities. www.wvagrability.org also is offering a new source of information. It now has a monthly calendar for all agriculture events, conferences, and expos. If you know of an event that is not on the calendar, please contact Inetta Fluharty. You can either call her at 304-771-8747 or by emailing her at ifluharty@wvagrability.org.

Free Farm Production Evaluation Tool Available

A new and free online tool has been created to help farmers, and anyone else involved in agribusiness, make informed production and management decisions. The tool, called IFARM, helps farmers get the most out of their land at the least cost.

Farmers enter their production data, such as crop type, fertilizer used, and rotations, and the location of their farm into the program. The tool then predicts and compares farming outcomes. Farmers can compare different production options and outcomes by entering different scenarios. The tool can then compare different outcomes based on the entered data.

The first information asked for is the location of the farm. Using Google Earth, the farmer can locate his or her farm and up to 20 fields that the farmer wants to evaluate. The farmer then enters the crops intended for the field, rotation cycles, fertilizer use, farm equipment used, and average yield.

The program then tells the farmer what the operation costs may be, labor required, fuel needs, expected soil erosion, chemical emissions produced by the operation, estimated income, and subsidy payments the farmer can expect from the latest farm bill.

The program also has a short tutorial to help first-time users. For additional assistance, contact Ed Van Ouwerkerk at Iowa State University at (515) 294-4037 or John Lundvall at ISU Iowa Learning Farm at (515) 294-5429. To use the tool for your own farm evaluation, visit i-farmtools.org.

Disaster Assistance Program Fact Sheet Available

Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) has published a new fact sheet about the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE). SURE is also know as the 'standing disaster program' under the 2008 Farm Bill. SURE is a federal program to provide payments to farmers for crop disaster losses in the 2008 through 2011 crop years. The fact sheet explains SURE to farmers who have losses due to natural disaster in 2008 or 2009. In addition, this program is also available to farmers who would like to manage their risk of losses in 2010. To read the fact sheet, visit http://flaginc.org/topics/pubs/arts/SURE20100218.pdf

Agrability's Upcoming Events

AgrAbility will be back on the road come April. Staff will be kicking off the month by exhibiting at the 20th Annual Beef Expo, April 9th and 10th at Jackson’s Mill. The expo will feature traditional events, contests, and sales, including cattle shows, the Stockman’s Contest, and beef sales. AgrAbility will be represented at the Trade Show. For the full schedule, visit http://randolph.ext.wvu.edu/wv_beef_expo.

Staff will be ending the month at the National Association of Social Workers WV Chapter Conference, April 28- 30, at the Charleston Civic Center. Staff will present Caring for the Caregiver: Tools for Supporting Caregivers in Rural Areas. This presentation addresses the struggles of care giving in farm families and different approaches caregivers can try to cope with the stresses of care giving. The presentation will be Thursday, April 29, at 8:30AM.

Report Looks at Nontraditional Lamb Markets

There has been a growing feeling that the nontraditional lamb market is taking an increasing portion of the commercial slaughter, traditional retail, and foodservice markets. Research into this was motivated by the discovery that there is a large statistical difference between the USDA published lamb crop and the USDA federally- inspected slaughter numbers. A new report Nontraditional Lamb Market in the United States: Characteristics and Marketing Strategies recommends how to define, measure and predict the growth of the nontraditional lamb market in the United States. For the full report and statistics, read the report at http://www.sheepusa.org/user_files/file_592.pdf

Meat Curing Webinar Available Online

Demand for cured meats made without synthetic nitrates and nitrites is rising. Processors are seeking information on safe and effective methods.

To meet this demand, the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network's (NMPAN) produced a webinar about the natural curing of meats. The webinar is now available online. The posting includes recordings from the webinar and presentation slides.

On this webinar, meat scientists, a processor, and an organ meat marketer explain ingredients, processes, and challenges to natural curing, along with product labeling and regulations.

To view the webinar, visit http://www.extension.org/pages/Natural_Curing_for_Meats

Report Outlines Changes to Small Farms

Ninety-one percent of farmers are classified as small, meaning their cash income is less than $250,000. About 60 percent of these farms only generate $10,000 or less. The remaining small farms, classified as small commercial farms, make up most small farm production. In general, farm production continues to shift to larger operators, while the number of small commercial farms are experiencing a longterm decline. The report, Small Farms in the United States: Persistence Under Pressure, found that despite the shift, small commercial farms are not disappearing. One reason is that some small commercial farms are profitable and others are willing to accept loses. For a summary of the report, visit www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib63.

USDA Food Availability Data Available

The latest data on U.S. food availability per capita was released in mid-February. This data describes the consumption of individual foods and food groups. This is the hundredth year that the USDA has collected this information.

Food availability is the amount of food in the U.S. food marketing system available per person in the U.S. The USDA calculates food availability by using production of imports and various foods. Exports and farm and industrial uses are not included in calculating this estimate of what Americans consume on average.

To review the full set of data, visit www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodConsumption.

February 2010 News

AgrAbility Enjoys Increase in Client Referrals

It is still early in the year, but momentum is building as AgrAbility is experiencing increased client referrals. Outreach at county farmer’s meetings and increased dialogue with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) have been significant sources for farmer referrals.

AgrAbility and DRS have been working to improve the visibility of agriculture as an employment option for their consumers. Referrals from DRS are showing promising potential for many exciting opportunities. These efforts are influencing consumers to take a second look at the ‘ol family farm’ to increase operation capacity and their employment status on the farm. Increased awareness of AgrAbility is leading to more dialogue with consumers about agriculture being an option for career opportunities.

At this winter's WVU Extension Educational Dinner Meetings many farmers have requested their own farm operations to be assessed by AgrAbility. These farmers have expressed great interest in assistive technology that minimizes repetitive movements, like twisting and bending, required by common farm chores.

If there is a silver lining to our tough winter weather, it is that farmers are taking advantage of this time to reflect on how they have been farming and how they plan to continue to farm. This winter is proving to be a great season for farmer outreach.

A Fond Farewell to Hanna, AgrAbility Intern

Hanna Thurman, a social work graduate student, is wrapping up her field placement rotation with AgrAbility. She has made tremendous contributions to program marketing. She has substantially increased program publicity with many county newspapers and newsletters. She has also compiled several articles for program outreach. Staff wishes Hanna well as she completes her last semester of her dual degree program in social work and public administration. Thank you for all of your hard work Hanna. We wish you a happy and exciting future.

Caregiver Presentation Accepted at Social Work

AgrAbility is not just about modifications on farms. Although modifications often hold the spotlight, AgrAbility takes a family approach when working with farmers. Staff looks at the farmer's 'big picture'- family life, farm operation and community– before making suggestions or recommendations. Support and care provided by family members are often imperative to keeping a farmer farming. One aspect of AgrAbility is offering support not just to the farmer but his or her family as a whole. Often times a spouse or child provides daily care giving to a farmer with a disability.

This care giving is essential to keeping the farmer farming but can take a heavy toll on the caregiver. Staff has been accepted to present Caring for Caregivers: Tools for Supporting Caregivers in Rural Areas at this year’s social work conference, April 28-30. This presentation will cover the warning signs of burnout, coping techniques for care giving stressors, and strategies for nurturing family relationships.

If you know of a caregiver or group who could benefit from this information, please contact AgrAbility at 800-841-8436 or agrability@hsc.wvu.edu

Video on Thermal-Banking Greenhouse Design

Extending the growing season to year-round and using only renewable energy to do so, a Minnesota organic farmer explains how his thermal-storage greenhouse works, and how it came into being with the help of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant. This video is intended for all farmers, and those interested in renewable energy practices that may serve as successful models toward a sustainable future.

This is the second in a series of “how-to” videos showcasing the knowledge and creativity of farmers who are working SARE. To view these videos, visit http://cookingupastory.com/sustainable-energy-thermal-banking-greenhouse-design

Mobile Slaughter Unit Video

The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network has released its first video project. There are three short videos showing how a USDA-inspected mobile slaughter unit works. The videos include: Part I: The Set-Up– the Mobile Unit and the Farm Site; Part II: Stunning, Bleeding, and Moving the Carcass into the Unit; and Part III: From Carcass to Cooler to Cut and Wrap.

To view the videos, visit www.extension.org/pages/Mobile_Slaughter_Unit_Videos

AgrAbility to Present at Small Farms Conference

The Small Farms conference is just around the corner. It will be held at Lakeview Golf Resort in Morgantown, March 2-5. Staff is excited to present Farming Using AgrAbility Strategies: Past, Present, Future. This presentation will include an overview of AgrAbility, business planning involved in a successful operation, and the role assistive technology plays in the continuation of a farming operation after an injury while preventing secondary injuries. AgrAbility will also have a display at the conference. Be sure to stop by and visit us!

The conference has six different learning tracks to meet the diverse mix of experience, age, crop enterprise and interests of small farmers.

To learn more about the Conference, or to register, contact Tom McConnell at 304-293-6131 or visit the Conference website at smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu

Organic EQIP Initiative Information Available

The sign-up for the FY2010 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative has begun. The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is taking applications and the deadline for applications will be March 12, 2010.

For FY 2010, applications will be treated as two separate ranking pools, one for transitioning farmers without any current certified organic production, and one for existing certified organic producers who are either adding new transition production or adopting new conservation measure on existing organic production.

In both cases, those in these special funding pools will be competing only against others in the special pool rather than in the general EQIP pool.

For more information and to apply, visit http://attra.ncat.org/eqip.

Guide to Farmer Funding

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has released a new tool that will help farmers with federal programs and grant opportunities. NSAC is introducing an updated ‘quick guide’ to federal programs and grants for farmers, ranchers, food entrepreneurs, and the researchers, educators and community groups who serve them. The guide is in chart form and is formatted to be a one-stop shop for links to the relevant USDA program websites (where they exist), brief descriptions of programs, and important dates and deadlines.

To view the guide, visit http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide/farm-bill-programs-and-grants

Take Action on Food Safety Legislation

The Food Safety Modernization Act (S510) is now on its way to the Senate floor and could create huge barriers for many small and moderate sized farm markets. The Act would considerably ramp up FDA regulation on farms that minimally process their crops and sell them to restaurants, food coops, groceries, schools or wholesale markets. To counter these effects, the Growing Safe Food Act (S.2758) has been introduced to improve this legislation. In order to lessen the effects small and moderate sized farms would feel if the Food Safety Modernization Act were to pass, the Growing Safe Food Act would create a national food safety training and technical assistance program. If you value safe, local and healthy food, contact our Senators Robert Byrd or Jay Rockefeller to encourage them to cosponsor the Growing Safe Food Act. For more information and resources on this legislation, visit http://sustainableagriculture.net/category/food-safety.

Scoring Credit Scores

Credit scores can affect everything from insurance costs to loans and even employment. Paying down debt may not be enough to improve your credit score. In addition, the economic crisis has made banks, employers and insurance companies more selective.

There are web sites that can break down a person’s credit score by grading the score. Progressive Farmer suggests credit.com if you are interested in finding out your grade.

Credit.com has a free Credit Report Card. This service takes the traditional credit reports and lists factors that affect credit scores on an A to F scale.

For more information, visit www.credit.com/r/credit-report-card.

January 2010 News

AgrAbility and Christmas Tree Farmer Team Up

AgrAbility assists farmers, their families and farm workers in finding ways to continue farming after acquiring an illness, injury or chronic health condition. AgrAbility is available to any farmer in West Virginia, regardless of the farming operation or health condition.

One farmer AgrAbility recently teamed up with has a Christmas tree operation. He has a severe back injury as a result from years of handling Christmas trees. Quitting his operation was not an option but many challenges stood in the way. The pain from this injury had recently become so severe that he had trouble completing farm work.

The challenging terrain and steep slopes on his property caused challenging working conditions during most seasons. In addition, he had no relief from the winter elements, the height of his harvest season.

The farmer contacted AgrAbility. Staff visited the farm to observe his operation, how farm work was done and the equipment he uses. Staff made suggestions for equipment options based on what they had learned about his operation and from talking with the farmer about his wants and preferences.

Suggestions ranged from adding a brush saw and grappler to his operation to purchasing an AgCam. (This is a camera that can be placed on the back of a tractor and has a screen that is placed in the cab by the driver. The farmer can look at the screen to see what is behind the tractor without having to turn around.)

Due to the cost, staff worked with the farmer to find funding. AgrAbility turned to the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). DRS provides funding for work place modifications. Since the tree farm is the farmer’s employment, he qualified for funding. The farmer, AgrAbility, and DRS agreed to modify his tractor to help reduce the amount of twisting and turning he had to do; relieving some of his pain. DRS agreed to pay for an additional tractor step, a heated cab, a shock absorbing seat and an AgCam. With these modifications, this farmer is able to continue his operation in less pain and hopefully for many more years to come.

Steering Committee Meeting Set for February 16th

The next Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for February 16th. Time and place will be announced shortly. Staff is excited to talk about new projects, ideas and directions AgrAbility should take. Staff will have information on new materials and information about the 2010 National AgrAbility Training Week in Charleston. This March, AgrAbility will be starting its 10th year of service

If you are interested in joining, please contact Mary Slabinski at 304-293-4692x1125 or mslabiniski@hsc.wvu.edu

Organic Matter Factsheet Now Available

One of the greatest challenges producers face when beginning organic management is providing adequate fertility to meet crop needs. MOSES has released The Importance of Organic Matter to Soil Fertility and Crop Health, a new fact sheet to help producers address soil fertility issues Visit www.mosesorganic.org/attachments/productioninfo/fsfertility.html to read this fact sheet.

Youth Farm Safety Education & Certification Program

The Agricultural Hazardous Occupations Order (AgHOs) is a law that establishes safety and health standards for child labor in agriculture. The AgHOs identify specific types of farm work that has been classified as hazardous for children under 16. Under this law, employers are fined if they hire youth under 16 to do certain hazardous jobs.

However, employers are exempt from these fines if they hire youth, ages 14 & 15, who have completed the AgHOs’ training program.

Youth who complete this certification training on safe operation of tractors and machinery are allowed to operate a tractor over 20 horsepower, connect or disconnect implements and operate certain machines.

Visit www.agsafety4youth.info to find out more about the AgHOs and training program. The purpose of the website is to increase awareness of safety and legal issues related to employing youth in agriculture. It helps youth get certifications required by law and potential employers keep their agriculture productions safe for employees who are youth.

Small Farm Conference, March 1-4, 2010

Make sure the 2010 West Virginia Small Farm Conference is on your calendar. It is March 1-4, at the Lakeview Resort and Conference Center in Morgan¬town. This year’s conference has six different learning tracks to meet the diverse mix of experience, age, crop enterprise and interests of the region’s small farmers. The tracks include Fruit and Vegetable Produc¬tion, Value-adding, Beginning Farmers, Agritourism, Energy and Animal Production, and Marketing. Like last year, the conference will host the West Virginia Farmers’ Market Association Winter Blues Farmers’ Market on Monday night.

To learn more about the Conference, or to register, contact Tom McConnell at 304-293-6131 or visit the Conference website at smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/events/confer¬ence.

PATHS Taking Applications for Assistive Technology Grants

PATHS, the Partnerships in Assistive TecHnologieS, is a non-profit group dedicated to increasing awareness about and access to assistive technology (AT).

Many people need AT, but affording devices can be difficult for some people. PATHS is offering two $250.00 awards to qualified individuals to purchase the AT they need.

This award will be given to people who have no other means to pay for the AT they need. For more information and an application, call 800-841-8436.

AgrAbility's Pick from WVATS' Loan Library

Make calving, lambing, planting or bailing a little easier by using the AgCam. The AgCam is a camera with a magnetic base and a screen. You can move the AgCam from one piece of equipment to another. It is powered by wiring it into the fuse panel of your tractor or simply plugging it into a wall plug or cigarette lighter. All that is left to be done is to aim the camera to what you want to see and place the screen at eye level.

The AgCam is available to borrow through WVATS loan library. Visit www.cedwvu.org/programs/wvats or call 800-841-8436 to find out how to borrow this or any of the library’s 4,000 items.

Pollinator Resource Center Now Online

The Xerces Society's Pollinator Conservation Resource Center is now on-line! Containing a wealth of information, the resource center gives access to all you need to complete a pollinator conservation project in any region of the United States.

When you visit the resource center, select your region from the map to access plant lists, details of creating and managing nest sites, pesticide protection guides, and practical guidance on planning and implementing habitat projects on farmlands, gardens, golf courses, parks, and wildlands.

Visit www.xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center to check out this resource

Free Calendar to Help Keep Your Birds Healthy

The USDA is providing a free calendar filled with information for keeping your poultry healthy. Biosecurity for Birds is an educational program from the USDA. The program works to increase awareness of infectious diseases, like avian flu, and how you can keep your birds healthy.

Visit http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov to order your free calendar. The website also has information on what to look for to determine if a bird is sick and who to contact if you have sick or dying birds.

The website also has information on avian flu and Exotic Newscastle Disease (END). It explains what these two diseases are, what signs to watch for and how each is spread.

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December 2009 News

Currently…

Despite the wind and snow, staff is forging ahead with outreach, networking and assistance. Below are highlights of project progress.

Looking Ahead…

Resources…

Help Line Available for Small Meat and Poultry Processors

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the opening of a new help desk for operators of small meat, poultry and egg processing plants. The toll-free line will be staffed by specialists who can answer producers' questions about agency requirements. To speak to a staff specialist, call 1-877-FSISHelp (1-877-374-7435). Customers may also contact the help-desk by email at InfoSource@fsis.usda.gov.

New Production Risk Tool Available from USDA

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have created a free online tool to help farmers and producers assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in their production processes. Farms of all sizes can benefit from this tool. Producers are asked a series of questions about each component of their production process. Based on the responses, Agriculture CARVER provides scores for those components and recommendations. These might include upgrades or enhancements to physical security, process operations, or a change in personnel practices. Visit www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/CARVER/default.htm

Farmers' Market Site Upgrades Usability

Farmers' Market Coalition’s (FMC) website has been upgraded. The Coalition serves as a national hub for the exchange of farmers' market best practices. The Farmers' Market Resource Library’s new design includes an assortment of new features: users can rate and comment on entries, customize their searches, and submit their own documents, links, and videos to share with fellow market practitioners. FMC encourages submissions that increase innovation and excellence within the farmers' market community. Visit www.farmersmarketcoalition.org.

New Marketing Site Available for Sheep and Goat Producers

There is a new online marketing tool for sheep and goat producers. Hooftrader is designed to be an economical avenue for small ruminant producers to market their livestock and get the most bang for their buck (or doe, or ewe). The goal is a direct marketing tool that can connect and serve small ruminant producers and their customers throughout the Southeastern US. For more information, visit www.hooftrader.com.

National Ag Library and Farm Bureau to Create Beginning Farmer Clearinghouse

The American Farm Bureau Federation is partnering with the Agriculture Department's National Agricultural Library to create the National Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. The new information-sharing program will help those who have decided to pursue a career in agriculture. Visit www.fb.org.

Farm Financial Workshop Available Online

The Center for Farm Financial Management has created an online video workshop series to help ag producers (and anyone who works with them) understand and use the 4 major financial statements and the 21 financial measures recommended by the Farm Financial Standards Council. 'Interpreting Financial Statements and Measures' is a series of online videos that producers can work through at their own pace. Each session provides benchmarks, based on actual farms, that producers can use to evaluate their own financial position and their financial performance. The series can be found at http://ifsam.cffm.umn.edu.

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November 2009 News

Currently...

WV AgrAbility staff is not letting the tryptophan from turkey and mashed potatoes slow down progress. Staff is taking advantage of the end of harvest work to build, renew and strengthen partnerships within the farming and employment communities to further the mission of WV AgrAbility.

Educating

Networking

Assisting

Looking Forward...

WV AgrAbility's materials will soon have a new look to them which will incorporate National AgrAbility's new logo. WV AgrAbility's webpage is also undergoing updates. Check out the ongoing changes at agrability.cedwvu.org

Resources

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October 2009 News

Accomplishments and on-going tasks for October kept AgrAbility staff on track in fulfilling our State's project priorities of educating, networking and assisting.

Educating

Networking

Assisting

Looking Forward

AgrAbility was invited to the annual Farm Bureau Conference in Flatwoods November 6-8. AgrAbility was on display and staff was available to educate, network and answer any questions regarding the project's assistive services.

Resources

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September 2009 News

AgrAbility staff is keeping busy with outreach and education opportunities, professional trainings and farm assessments. Below are highlights of recent activities.

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