Today, July 23, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA is awarding $4.1 million in grant funding for programs in 22 states as part of the AgrAbility program.
The AgrAbility program is established to fund programs that will help disabled farmers and ranchers continue working in their chosen agricultural field. The USDA press release on the awards describes how the AgrAbility program works:
The program was first funded in 1991. Since that time programs in 30 states have been funded. The USDA reports that this translates into on-farm assistance being provided to 12,000 disabled farmers. The typical award amount to universities is $180,000 per year for four years to those institutions that qualify.USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) awards the funds to land-grant universities that have joined with nonprofit disability organizations to address the specialized needs of AgrAbility's customers. Projects include educating professionals on how to assist those with disabilities and directly training disabled agricultural workers.
To read the USDA press release or view the grant recipients for Fiscal Year 2009 click here.
Posted: 07/23/09
