Missouri AgrAbility Program Helps Farmers Stay Active After Injuries
A car accident left Carey Portell with partial disabilities and chronic pain, making her believe that her days of farming were over. With support from the University of Missouri Extension's Missouri AgrAbility program, however, she found the tools and confidence to continue working on her farm.
Missouri AgrAbility provides free, personalized assistance to farmers and agricultural workers living with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
The program helps participants remain active in agriculture by offering on-site assessments, recommendations for adaptive equipment, practical education, and ongoing support tailored to their individual needs.
"AgrAbility really helped me because they came to my farm and gave me the hands-on help and showed me the process of how I can continue farming as a partially disabled woman," Portell said. "AgrAbility has been a godsend."
The program is part of the national AgrAbility network, funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
In Missouri, it is delivered through partnerships involving the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension’s Innovative Small Farmers’ Outreach Program, and the Brain Injury Association of Missouri.
Portell’s experience highlights how the program is helping farmers overcome physical challenges while preserving their livelihoods. For more information, visit www.agrability.org.
Through Missouri AgrAbility and the connections she’s made from other participants of the Pearls of Production Conference, Portell found the tools, support and community that made it possible for her to continue farming safely and confidently.
Photo Credit: missouri-agrability