Our Crowdfunding Groups
Farm occupations have been consistently ranked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020) as among the most dangerous wherein injuries and permanent disability are not uncommon. Additionally, the average age of farmers has been on the rise.
Now, the average age of a Virginia farmer is 58.5 (United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2019). With that comes illnesses and ailments common to aging such as impaired vision and arthritis.
AgrAbility Virginia promotes safety, wellness, and accessibility on the farm through education, rehabilitative services, and assistive technology.
We offer support services to farmers that include, but are not limited to:
- Developing educational resources and trainings for farmers, farmworkers, and families related to farm safety and farm stress
- Providing disability advocacy
- Identifying assistive technology for accessibility and mobility
- Coordinating community services and outreach
- Connecting farmers to funding sources
“I think the challenges that were preventing me from moving forward and chasing my aspirations, I think Virginia AgrAbility and the suggestions made by Garland and Jeremy have minimized those challenges to the point that I can move forward now, it’s just a matter of proceeding... It’s very exciting to get up every day and pursue this.” Anonymous
Help farmers access assistive technologies like adapted tools, automatic gate openers, or tractor lifts when they are not eligible to receive funding from other sources. Your support will help farmers thrive again by funding assistive technology for the farmers we serve and by allowing us to carry out a comprehensive outreach campaign on farm stress and mental health.
**AgrAbility Virginia direct services are supported by USDA NIFA. This program is a collaborative effort between the National AgrAbility Program, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Easterseals UCP.
Provide an add on handle to a long handled tool! Improve productivity with less compression on the lower back.
Help a farmer with arthritis keep their wrist in a natural position, relieve stress, and keep gardening.
From a bench to a kneeling pad, this tool helps gardeners use their arm strength instead straining their knees or back.
Spinner Knobs help farmers with a limited grasp or wrist tension drive machinery. With arthritis or injury productivity continues!
An automatic gate opener helps aging farmers move easily throughout their pasture and tend to animals without dismounting the tractor.
Many agricultural workers face challenges beyond physical issues, such as depression, stress, addictions, and other mental/behavioral health concerns. Help the Farm Stress and Mental Health Campaign across VA.