Maine AgrAbility Earns Grant to Assist Farmers with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the Maine AgrAbility Project a $701,828 grant to continue assisting farmers, loggers and fishermen with disabilities and chronic illnesses so they may remain active in production agriculture.

Richard Brzozowski, University of Maine Cooperative Extension specialist and project director, said the grant will fund the project for four more years. The USDA awarded 21 grants totaling $4.1 million to land grant universities.

Maine AgrAbility works directly with farmers, loggers and fishermen, as well as agricultural service providers, by offering educational workshops, on-site assessments and technical assistance. The free resource is available to agricultural workers, and their family members, with a physical, cognitive or illness-related disability or chronic health condition.

AgrAbility is a nonprofit partnership between University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England and Alpha One. The program collaborates with other agencies, including Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and Maine Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation. More information about Maine AgrAbility project is available online at umaine.edu/agrability, or by contacting Lani Carlson, AgrAbility Project coordinator, 207.944.1533, leilani.carlson@maine.edu.