What’s happening with Maine AgrAbility?
January 2018
Lani Carlson and Richard Brzozowski are working to develop a relationship between farmers in Franklin County and organizations supporting employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Connections made so far are with the University of Maine at Farmington’s special education and assistive technology department, and with several local programs that support people with cognitive & intellectual disabilities to be employed and actively involved in their home communities.
Lani Carlson enjoyed a cold (-9° F) early-morning breakfast meeting on December 28 with the Farmington Rotary Club. She gave a 30-minute AgrAbility presentation to about 45 Rotarians, highlighting the AgrAbility program and success stories.
Maine AgrAbility staff hosted the quarterly Advisory Council (AC) meeting on December 7 with ten advisory council members in Augusta. They reviewed AC member skills to promote within AgrAbility, upcoming events, and AgrAbility program activities from the last quarter.
Lani Carlson met with the Franklin County UMaine Extension Executive Committee during the December meeting and shared AgrAbility program highlights. Lani is also participating in a Perceptions of Farm Safety project, interviewing beginning farmers with families. Three farm families were interviewed in December.