Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** ?non-technical summarythe alaska…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** ?non-technical summarythe alaska agrability project is a collaboration of alaska's 1862 land grant the university of alaska fairbanks cooperative extension service (UAF CES) and a statewide non-profit partner assistive technology of alaska (atla) to plan coordinate and deliver direct services described in the work plan. This program is designed to support continued farming and agricultural employment for people with disabilities in alaska. The university of alaska fairbanks (UAF) alaska agrability project will continue direct on-site assistance education and resource development for established alaska farmers as well as beginning farmers with agricultural operations or multiple sub-industries (farming ranching commercial fishing and forestry) and veterans and their families. Alaska agrability may rely on the research-based educational programs of UAF CES and refers customers to the appropriate specialists for assistance with everything from soil or pesticide recommendations farm energy/water solutions to farm business plans and budgets. Collaborations to support education networking and marketing will continue to include the alaska department of labor and workforce development alaska division of vocational rehabilitation US department of veterans affairs vocational rehabilitation & education assistive technology of alaska alaska division of agriculture alaska marine safety education association alaska farm bureau alaska botanical garden farmer veteran coalition aging and disability resource centers as well as alaska centers for independent living. In close partnership with our CO-director at atla UAF CES will provide and recommend assistive technology and will work to provide educational opportunities to clients statewide in agricultural sectors such as farming ranching fishing and forestry enterprises. Alaska agrability collaborates with a variety of partner organizations around the state directly and seek to provide non-duplicative wrap-around services for identified clients to help them meet their goals such as: increased mobility operational efficiency with assistive technology small business development food security therapeutic activity aging in place awareness etc. This may also include assisting clients with information to access funding through sources such as microenterprise grants the state of alaska mental health trust or traumatic brain injury grants. Alaska agrability will utilize UAF faculty and contractors to provide technical assistance group classes and demonstrations and solicit input from stakeholders in local communities they serve. The alaska agrability team will provide direct assistance through on-site assessments of operations consultation referral resource awareness educational opportunities and networking for clients to engage with peers. Atla as non-profit partner and subrecipient to the project will provide assistive technology design recommendations assist withacquiring funding for alaska agrability clients and providing outreach to client groups. With UAF CES statewide providing outreach in 12 communities across alaska alaska agrability will coordinate information and referrals for clients as well as local resources in communities where relationships already exist through key non-profit agencies that have relationships with potential clients. Alaska agrability will provide training for agricultural and health professionals and the public; enhance awareness of disabilities and farm/fishing/forestry safety practices; and sponsor supportive educational programs for families and communities at agricultural events. The need for services continues to grow as the farming population ages the number of veterans increases and as the number of alaska small farms continue to increase dramatically (2012-2017) with individuals and families transitioning from other occupations. This has been especially prevalent due to covid-19 demographic shifts disabilities and other situations. The alaska agrability project fills a unique niche - while several alaskan agencies and non-profits facilitate disability support there has been no such entity focused on disability specifically in agricultural careers. This places the alaska agrability project in a unique strategic position to bring awareness to industry needs and also educate many sectors from the public to partnering agencies on the availability of resources to keep agricultural workers with limiting or disabling health conditions on the job. We look forward to the challenge in the next four years!