Promotingsuccess inagriculture forfarmers with adisability orlong-termhealth condition

This publication is available in alternate media on request.

Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC)Homegrown by HeroesNational AgrAbility Project: VeteransNatural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS)NCAT: Armed to Farm - Ag Training for VetsPA Dept. of AgriculturePA Veteran Farming Project / Troops toTractorsREAch Wounded Veterans' ProgramRodale Institute: Veteran Farmer TrainingU.S. Dept. of Agriculture: New FarmersVeterans Administration (VA)Veteran Urban Farming ProjectWarfighter GardensWork Vessels For Vets (WVFV)

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians Project is supported under USDA/NIFASpecial Projects 2017-41590-27105 in collaboration with Penn StateExtension. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research andextension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania, and USDA.Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, andis committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualifiedapplicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protectedveteran status.UCP Central PA assures equal opportunities for all individualsregardless of age, sex, race, color, religious creed, ancestry, nationalorigin, disability, handicap, sexual preference, life style, political belief,union membership, limited English proficiency, and any other class ofindividuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law. AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a statewide partnership between

Penn State Extension and UCP Central PA.

Contact UsPhone: 814-867-5288Email: agrability@psu.eduOnline: agrabilitypa.org

Veterans in Agriculture

Veteran Ag PartnersA list of organizations, agencies, and non-profits that serve Veterans

More resources online:agrabilitypa.org/veteransor scan the QR Code

About AgrAbility AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians provides acritical service to the state's agriculturalcommunity. AgrAbility PA assists farmersand agricultural workers with a disabilityor long-term health condition by providingdirect services and support needed toreturn to or begin working in productionagriculture. These services and supportextend to the men and women who areserving or have served in the military. There is no cost for services or supportfrom AgrAbility PA, however, the project doesnot provide direct funding or equipment.

Vets in Agriculture41% of Veterans live in rural AmericaThere can be similarities betweenmilitary life and agricultural lifeMany occupations and hobbies areavailable in agriculture for individuals withdisabilities, including post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD)

Flexible work scheduleSense of accomplishmentSource of therapyOpportunity to use skills gained in themilitaryOption to work alone or with others

Agriculture can offer:

Farmer Veteran:Cathie Dibert

Cathie served our country as a Specialist E4 inArmy military intelligence. Upon returning toClaysburg, Cathie Dibert, owner of Green"er" AcresFarm, made the move into agriculture after hermilitary service. She enrolled in the Homegrown byHeroes and Pennsylvania Preferred labelingprograms. Cathie worked with AgrAbility PA and PA's Office ofVocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to identifymodifications and equipment that would facilitateher farming efforts.

Services & SupportOn-site farm assessments to helpidentify barriers to successful completion oftasksIdentification of safe and appropriatemodifications, equipment, or assistivetechnologyPeer and caregiver supportEducational opportunities Referrals and information aboutfederal, state, and local resources

I wouldn't be able to dowhat I do.

Contact AgrAbility PA for information: agrability@psu.edu | (814) 867-5288

Photo: Cathie works in her raised beds located on ahillside. The ground would otherwise be unusable.