GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Hundreds of Michigan farmers with disabilities may soon benefit from technology assistance that will help them continue their work, thanks to a $720,000 grant from the USDA.

Michigan AgrAbility, administered by Easter Seals, in conjunction with Michigan State University extension will use the funds over the next four years to reach out to farmers and farm workers with disabilities to help them continue performing the work they love and know how to do.

“In essence, the grant will help provide service to more farmers than we were able to help in the past,” said Steven Lovejoy, professor of agriculture, food and resource economics and an extension specialist at MSU.

A drastic funding decrease around 2009 nearly ended Michigan’s AgrAbility program until Easter Seals brought the organization under its umbrella. Ned Stoller, agriculture engineer with Michigan AgrAbility, said that funding under the current budget provides assistance to approximately 35 individuals annually. The goal is to provide services to an additional 100 clients in each of the four years with the newly secured funds.

On-farm assessments valued at $1,100 are free to farmers through AgrAbility.

Sometimes, an assessment will determine only minor adjustments are needed to help keep the farmer working. Other situations may require equipment or technology installations specific for the individual’s needs.

Once an assessment is completed, staff at AgrAbility assist in securing grant funds through Michigan Rehabilitation Services to purchase and install the assistance device. Approximately half the clients are eligible for or choose to take advantage of the financial assistance for technologies that average $10,000 per client. For a variety of reasons, including ineligibility, others choose self-pay as an option.

Dr. Ken Rosenman, MSU professor with the College of Human Medicine and co-principal investigator with the project, will play a key role in promoting AgrAbility’s services to rural doctors within the state. Because of Rosenman’s affiliation within the rural medical community, Stoller hopes rural physicians will begin prescribing AgrAbility as a service to clients with disability needs.

The USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) estimates there are 2,000 new individuals in Michigan annually that acquire a disability through injury, aging issues, chronic pain, spinal cord injuries, hearing loss, amputations or diseases such as diabetes, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis or cancer.

When a farm family is faced with a disability resulting from an accident or illness, there are many challenges to overcome. Adapting to the situation presents emotional and often financial stress that affects the entire family. AgrAbility helps families find, fund and implement solutions that can help retain their financial independence.

According to Lovejoy, students in MSU’s College of Engineering, which includes the Agricultural Engineering Department, may also play a part in removing workplace barriers by combining their creativity and education into technology solutions.

As part of a graduation prerequisite, students are required to complete a capstone project. Lovejoy said the students will be encouraged to take on a farmer disability challenge from AgrAbility’s cases. “Often, these solutions can be quick to implement and put to use by the farmer,” he noted.