UMaine Extension awarded funds to continue AgrAbility

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

October 15, 2018 Cooperative Extension, Outreach

The Maine AgrAbility project has received a $720,000, four-year grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in ongoing support of its outreach, information and networking efforts.

The project, part of NIFA’s Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities, is a partnership between University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Alpha One, Maine’s Center for Independent Living.

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. This free resource is available to agricultural workers and their family members with a physical, cognitive or illness-related disability or chronic health condition so they may remain active in production agriculture, fishing or forestry.

Maine is one of 21 state AgrAbility projects nationwide. Since 2010, Maine AgrAbility has provided direct services and technical assistance to more than 480 agricultural producers in the state. Nationwide, farmers with disabilities who participated in the AgrAbility program report significantly greater quality of life and independent living and working.

More information about Maine AgrAbility is available online or by contacting Lani Carlson, Maine AgrAbility project coordinator, 207.944.1533, maine.agrability@maine.edu.