Bernard, 53, owns and operates a 1,300-acre ranch in Nebraska on which he raises hay, alfalfa and beef cattle. In September 1999, he was severely burned when his tractor exploded. He was not expected to live. A Nebraska AgrAbility Rural Rehabilitation Specialist met with Bernard and his wife, Cheryl, while he was still an inpatient at a rehabilitation hospital. The couple's goal was to continue ranching, so Nebraska AgrAbility began to work on ways to enable them to do so. With iron determination, Bernard fought through numerous surgeries and long, painful rehabilitation to return home to his family and the work he loves.

Bernard's ability to operate his ranch is limited by his greatly reduced strength and stamina, low tolerance for extreme temperatures, reduced range of motion, and extreme sensitivity to the sun and skin irritants.

One of the main problems identified through the AgrAbility farm site assessment was Bernard's inability to irrigate the alfalfa field using his existing system, which had to be taken apart, lifted, moved across the field and reassembled. He had to rely on others to move the pipe for him.

AgrAbility staff worked with Bernard to identify an irrigation method that would enhance water usage practices and accommodate his limitations. A traveling gun sprinkler seemed to be one solution.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff was contacted for input and expertise on the conservation issues pertaining to Bernard's fields and irrigation needs. After a property evaluation and inventory, an NRCS conservationist agreed that a traveling gun sprinkler system would provide more efficient and effective use of water resources.

Due to budget limitations, however, VR could only cover a portion of the traveling sprinkler system costs. Additional funds were needed. Traditional NRCS cost-share funds were sought first. The 15% funding available in his county would not be available until one year after modification recommendations were made.

Waiting for this potential assistance was not an option because he could not afford to lose another irrigation season. Further cost analysis determined that without assistance in addition to the amount offered by VR, Bernard would not be able to afford to convert to the traveling sprinkler system even though it would enhance his water usage practices as well as lessen the impact of his disability.

AgrAbility staff and Nebraska NRCS wrote a joint grant proposal to establish a Community Assistance and Rural Development Division (CARD) funding source. These grant funds, which are designed to address conservation issues in conjunction with accommodating a disability, are administered through a grant set aside for Nebraska AgrAbility, and are available only after traditional funding sources have been exhausted. With a combination of producer, VR and CARD funds, the traveling sprinkler system was purchased and the irrigation conversion project was put into place.

A lack of cabs in Bernard's equipment to protect him from the climate presented a second problem. Trading equipment was not feasible at that time; he needed funding assistance to help modify his current equipment. AgrAbility staff contacted Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VR). Bernard and AgrAbility staff worked closely with the assigned VR counselor to educate the counselor about agriculture and worksite modifications. AgrAbility staff advocacy resulted in the VR team determining that Bernard's vocational needs were real and his goals feasible. VR committed to providing financial support to purchase sun canopies and cooling vests to accommodate his needs.

Because of cold intolerance, Bernard was unable to safely and comfortably complete livestock care and handling duties during the first winter of his recovery. Fortunately, during that winter, new tax legislation was passed that allowed ranchers to sell cattle without tax ramifications. The only stipulation was that the cattle had to be replaced within the following year. Bernard sold his livestock, avoided tax liabilities, and eliminated the dangers and discomfort of livestock handling during his first year of recovery.

When asked about his experience with AgrAbility, Bernard said, "If it hadn't have been for the help of AgrAbility and Voc Rehab, I wouldn't have been able to do what I am doing now and what I anticipate doing in the future. You have made my life easier. I do more of the things I like [to do] and can do because of the help you provided. I am so thankful."