Farm Assessment
AgrAbility offers free farm assessments to any farmer, or a family member, who has difficulty doing any farm task, getting around their home, farm structures or equipment due to an injury or chronic condition. The purpose of the farm assessment is to allow AgrAbility staff to observe the farmer, the techniques the farmer uses to complete farm tasks, what the farmer does to compensate for any difficulties he/she has, and to get a good understanding of the farmer's working conditions. The following describes a typical farm assessment:
- Staff is contacted by a farmer in West Virginia, a family member or other concerned person
- With the farmer's permission, a farm assessment is scheduled at the farm
- Staff travel to the farm. The farmer is asked a series of questions about their farm, their struggles, production, etc.
- Staff observe the farmer while he/she performs tasks that they find difficult and use of any modifications made by the farmer to complete difficult tasks.
- Staff offer suggestions for modifications and accommodations. Suggestions can range from rearranging work areas to modifying equipment. Staff may also make safety recommendations for modifications the farmer has already made.
- If modifications are feasible for and acceptable to the farmer, staff work with the farmer and family to find funding for modifications in necessary.
The West Virginia AgrAbility Project helps disabled or injured farmers continue working. We can help find funding support for assistive technology and farm equipment modifications you may need, such as:
- lifts to help you get into the driver's seat of tractors or other equipment
- tools that can be used with one hand
- adapted foot controls for hand operation of equipment
- modified controls for other farm equipment
- daily living devices
- modifications to farm and farmhouse
Some examples of modifications made in the past are:
Lifts can help farmers get on and off tractors
and other farm machinery.
The Jiffy Hitch helps farmers hook and
unhook implements to a tractor.
An additional step system can help farmers with limited range
of motion climb on and off equipment.
Contact Information:
West Virginia AgrAbility
c/o Center for Excellence in Disabilities
959 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-293-4692
Toll Free: 800-841-8436
E-mail: Agrability@hsc.wvu.edu
