Maine AgrAbility

Brie Weisman, OTR/L, CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist), ECHM (Executive Certification in Home Modification) has, has been a consultant to the Maine AgrAbility Program since 2018. She is an occupational therapist who brings farming experience, a sense of humor, and a deep sense of caring to her work on the team. Where did you […]

    Ketra Crosson, OTR/L, is an Independent Living Specialist with Alpha One, a partnering organization with Maine AgrAbility. She has been associated with AgrAbility since its earliest days (2005) when Maine and Vermont administered a joint program. She has 30 years of experience as a registered OT. In this interview, she talks about a […]

  In part 2 of my conversation with Caitlin, we talk about her work to establish a high standard for cheese producers in Maine. Caitlin started the Maine Cheese Guild and was its first president, serving from 2003-2007. She mentored dozens of apprentices over her 30 years of making cheese and is very proud that […]

By Ellen S. Gibson Caitlin Hunter has been making farmstead cheese since 1980. A pioneer cheesemaker, she helped to establish the Maine Cheese Guild, which today provides educational programming and advocacy for licensed cheesemakers who are producing world-class cheeses all over the state. Caitlin set the standard.  Making cheese is hard, physical work. Some cheesemakers, […]

By Ellen S. Gibson AgrAbility is a combination of two words: agriculture and ability. At Maine AgrAbility, we primarily work with farmers. We work with men and women who raise animals and vegetables to sell at the Farmers Market along with bread and butter, honey and eggs. They raise potatoes, pigs, sheep and cattle, make […]

By Ellen S. Gibson On June 2, 2020, Maine AgrAbility presented the webinar: Arthritis and Agriculture: the Importance of Protecting Your Joints Farmers lose quality-of-life because of chronic pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in and around the joints. Making small changes in their working routines and using Assistive Technology (AT) can significantly reduce injury to […]

By Ellen S. Gibson Have you ever listened to a conversation being spoken in a foreign language? I know some French but I’m not fluent, and it takes a lot of concentration for me to listen to people speaking in French. If my mind wanders, I’m lost. It’s the same for people who can’t hear […]

By Ellen S. Gibson How We Work with Farmers: An Interview with Kelley Spencer Kelley Spencer is the owner of Maine Assistive Technology Solutions. She provides assistive technology assessments and follow-up services for clients with cognitive and physical health challenges. Assistive technology (AT) is what we call the tools, equipment, apps, and techniques that we […]

by Ellen S. Gibson Finding a Way Forward in These Uncertain Times As of March 19, 2020, Maine AgrAbility’s work continues from home. I checked in this week with our AgrAbility Veteran Outreach Coordinator Anne Devin. In addition to Anne’s role at Cooperative Extension with Maine AgrAbility, she owns Chase Stream Farm in Monroe, with […]

By Ellen S. Gibson I like to cook, and I like to know what’s in my food, so I end up making most of what I eat. I hadn’t ever considered making crackers until my sister-in-law brought them for lunch. I couldn’t stop eating them, they were so good. The recipe is from the Lewiston […]