By Kendall Crawford
Len Vonderhaar has been farming corn and soybeans in Preble County since 1962. Each year his love has only grown for his around 2,000-acre utopia.
“We just, we live in a paradise right here in the Midwest,” he said.
One of his greatest joys is being out in the field, working alongside his son and grandson. At 87 years old, he’s never once considered stopping.
“I get tired, but not retired,” Vonderhaar said. “I probably would never [retire] unless I'm forced to sit back or settle down. I enjoy getting out every day.”
But, an incident ten years ago put a wrench in that plan: Vonderhaar suffered a severe spine injury. Suddenly, he couldn’t operate the farm equipment he had used for years.
Injuries, like Vonderhaar’s, or chronic conditions, like arthritis or diabetes, slow Ohioans down as they age. For farmers, these physical disabilities can threaten their livelihood.
The Ohio AgrAbility Program is working to keep them out in the fields. The Ohio State University Extension program partners with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the nonprofit Easterseals Redwood to connect farmers, like Vonderhaar, to free assistive technology.
Keeping farmers in the field
On a cold and windy afternoon, Vonderhaar peered up at his combine. The farm machinery towers at about 10 feet tall. Its steep and narrow steps have been too difficult for Vonderhaar to climb since his back surgery.
But, each September, he’s still able to harvest, thanks to a mechanical lift.
“See this button right here?” he said, pressing it down. “You just raise yourself up.”
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