Section 4: State Project Feature - AgrAbility of Utah

Section 4: State Project Feature—AgrAbility of Utah – Collaboration Leads to Success

AgrAbility of Utah has been federally funded since 1998. Since then AgrAbility of Utah project staff have worked hard to build a strong client base and develop a rapport with Utah agriculturists. AgrAbility of Utah is headquartered at Utah State University (USU) in Logan, Utah. USU has an excellent extension service with agents in nearly every county. Extension agents help locate and refer potential clients to AgrAbility of Utah project staff.

In addition to USU, AgrAbility of Utah partners include three Independent Living Centers (ILCs): Options for Independent Living in Logan (northern Utah); Active Re-Entry in Price (central Utah); and Red Rock Center for Independent Living in St. George (southern Utah). Due to the geography, climate, and size of Utah, it is essential that AgrAbility outreach staff are located throughout the state. The ILCs focus on helping persons with disabilities maintain their independence. This mission meshes well with the goals of AgrAbility of Utah. At least one person in each ILC is dedicated to AgrAbility activities. Many other specialists housed at the ILC are readily accessible to provide additional help.

AgrAbility of Utah also works closely with the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) at Utah State University. The CPD is one of 63 other University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Services located throughout the United States. AgrAbility of Utah looks to the CPD for advice and answers to technical questions. The CPD also administers the Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF) loan and grant program. This UATF program provides small grants and low-interest loans to Utah citizens with disabilities to purchase assistive technology. These loans and grants have proven to be an excellent asset for people after all other assistance programs have been exhausted.

AgrAbility of Utah also cooperates with Utah Farm Bureau. Utah Farm Bureau sponsors several farm conferences and workshops in Utah throughout the year. AgrAbility of Utah participates in these events to promote the services available to farmers/ranchers who have been injured or developed a disability.

Minority outreach is the newest area of emphasis for AgrAbility of Utah. Utah has a significant Hispanic and Native American populations employed in agriculture. Traditionally, these groups have been under-represented in the client base served. Both AgrAbility of Utah and the ILCs have set goals to improve their minority outreach.

AgrAbility staff strives to build a relationship with every client in order to better understand his or her situation. This personal relationship often develops slowly; sometimes taking several visits before a plan is put in place. The client and AgrAbility staff together build a list of goals along with a timeline for reaching these goals. AgrAbility of Utah takes pride in helping agriculturists reach goals that they may have felt would not be attainable.

Utah AgrAbility Project Staff

Rhonda Miller, Ph.D. has served as Project Director for AgrAbility of Utah since July 2001. She has been an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Agricultural Systems Technology and Education at Utah State Univ. for over three years. Miller grew up on an irrigated cash grain farm in Southeastern Nebraska. She received her B.S. and M.S. from the Univ. of Nebraska and her Ph.D. from Iowa State Univ.
John Mussler has been the Assistive Technology Specialist for AgrAbility of Utah at Utah State Univ. since July 2001. Mussler grew up on a beef and crop operation near Preston, Idaho and continues to farm today in Idaho with his wife. While attending Utah State Univ., he studied agricultural mechanics, industrial technology, and welding engineering. This training has helped him design and make modifications to producers’ equipment.
Richard D. Baer, Ph.D. has been the Director of Outreach, Development and Dissemination at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State Univ. for the past 22 years and has worked with AgrAbility of Utah for the past five years. His career has included work on numerous projects, including those focused on assessment of children with disabilities, behavior analysis and positive behavior supports, special education for Native American children, assistive technology, and family support.
David G. Ezola has been the AgrAbility Coordinator for OPTIONS for Independence for the past two years. Ezola grew up on a dairy farm and helped his uncle train racehorses. He currently raises alfalfa, barley, and wheat on an irrigated operation. Ezola has also worked at a local grain cooperative and was a certified EMT for his local rescue squad for 17 years. He still serves as a volunteer firefighter as he has for the past 24 years.
Shirley A. Weathers, Ph.D. is a consultant and co-owner of Walsh & Weathers Research and Policy Studies and has worked with AgrAbility of Utah since December 2000. Weathers received her Ph.D. in Latin American History from Utah State Univ. during which time she spent a year in Chile on a Fulbright Scholarship. She has previously worked on a program with Mexican-American and Navajo migrant farmworkers and was the Research Director and lead staff person at Utah Issues Information Program on welfare reform, public benefits, services to students at risk, and school fees.
Bill Walsh is a consultant and co-owner of Walsh & Weathers Research and Policy Studies and has worked with AgrAbility of Utah since December 2000. Walsh was previously the Executive Director at Utah Issues Information Program and was on the state’s Medical Care Advisory Committee working closely with the Utah Dept. of Health. Walsh and his wife have a commercial llama packing business.
Terry Dan Hawks has been a Consumer Advocate for AgrAbility of Utah at Red Rock Center for Independence in St. George, Utah for over three years. He was raised on an alfalfa and dairy farm in Caldwell, Idaho. In his current position, he assists individuals in acquiring needed equipment. He also provides ADA advocacy. Hawks has also taught Life Skills classes and provided case management to people with severe disabilities. AgrAbility has been a good match, bringing together his farm background and his enjoyment of working with the disability community.
Louie Santillanes has been the Assistive Technology Coordinator for AgrAbility of Utah at Active Re-Entry Independent Living Center in Southeastern Utah for the past three years. Santillanes has been with Active Re-Entry Independent Living Center for 11 years in various roles, including an AgrAbility Coordinator, ADA Specialist, and Community Outreach Specialist. As an ADA Specialist in Eastern Utah, he works with county and city building inspectors to assure that new and existing facilities meet the accessibility guidelines.

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In This Issue
Section 1: Client Story—A Fourth-Generation Rancher’s Success Story Section 2: Facts about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Section 3: Assistive Technology Solutions for Farmers or Ranchers with Multiple Sclerosis	Section 4: State Project Feature—AgrAbility of Utah Section 5: Resources Section 6: Contacts