Illinois AgrAbility Unlimited Program (AU) staff has developed a way to enhance the program’s local community presence: the AgrAbility Unlimited Community Ambassadors Program (CA). CA has proven to be a practical way to overcome the challenges of limited financial and staff resources and potential clients’ hesitance to seek the services offered. Although local Extension office staff has promoted AU from time to time, the need to promote many other programs as well means AU gets limited attention. In an effort to enhance AU’s local presence, the staff decided to develop a corps of local volunteers to assist with program promotion. Thus, about three years ago they developed and initiated the AgrAbility Unlimited Community Ambassadors Program.

The CA volunteers enhance AgrAbility presence in the local rural community through their strong interest in the program and in helping local farm people. Community Ambassadors are highly motivated individuals who are recruited and trained to act as program liaisons in their local communities. They come from various backgrounds, including farming, nursing, rehabilitation, vocational agricultural education and farm finance. They act as the local point of contact and disseminate program information through a variety of venues. Ambassadors take on additional duties based on the amount of time they have available and their desire to perform these duties. These duties include making presentations to local service, civic or community organizations; developing local peer networks and support groups; maintaining a supply of promotional materials at local businesses and health care facilities; and, most importantly, acting as the local referral agent for potential consumers of AU services.

Managing and motivating this corps of volunteers requires a great deal of time. To facilitate this activity, two part-time field coordinators have been recruited and trained to assist the AU program manager with these activities. One field coordinator is Jim Williams, who is retired but worked for the state’s largest farm insurance company for over 30 years. The other coordinator is Brenda Besse, who operates a purebred dairy farm in northwestern Illinois and a former AU client. Williams’ and Besse’s duties include recruiting new CAs in areas not served, conducting initial training for new CAs, keeping CAs supplied with program materials and resources, assisting CAs with local events, assisting the AU program manager with outreach and education events, and identifying new partnering opportunities in the communities they visit. They have been a vital part of developing and maintaining the program.

The CA has grown from three ambassadors to over 50 located throughout the state. CAs attend a one-day training program each year. They are provided with or have access to a variety of program promotional materials, including the program video, brochures and displays. Ambassadors have their own AgrAbility Unlimited business cards to assist in promoting program recognition within the community. This year they will also be provided with an AU shirt to wear when promoting the program.

AU is starting to see a significant increase in referrals as a direct result of the Community Ambassadors’ efforts. The time and resources spent in developing the program has and will greatly improve the AU staff’s ability to identify and serve farm people who can benefit from AgrAbility.

To join the Community Ambassadors program, or for more information, please contact:

Mike Brokaw, Program Manager
Ph: 1-800-500-7325
E-mail: mikeb@agrabilityunlimited.org
Or see http://www.agrabilityunlimited.org

Bob Aherin, Project Director – With over 15 years of experience in guiding agricultural safety education efforts in Illinois, Dr. Aherin directs the administration of Illinois’ AgrAbility Unlimited Project. He provides the guidance and leadership necessary to keep the statewide project on track, develops educational materials and keeps U of I Extension personnel informed of project efforts.

Jim Williams, Field Coordinator – Williams, a retired Country Companies Community Relations Professional, is responsible for recruiting and retaining volunteers for the AgrAbility Unlimited Community Ambassador Program in southern Illinois. The Community Ambassador is AgrAbility’s eyes and ears in the local community.

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