AgrAbility honored by National Black Farmers Association

Story by Emma Ea Ambrose

July 9, 2018

The National Black Farmers Association has presented its Partner of the Year Award to the National AgrAbility Project, based at Purdue University.

Chuck Baldwin, special populations outreach coordinator for AgrAbility, attended the 27th Annual NBFA Conference in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to accept the award.

“AgrAbility has, since its inception 26 years ago, worked to ensure that minorities in agriculture have the same opportunities as other ag workers to access and benefit from the services and programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Baldwin. “This inclusive effort continues today with AgrAbility workshops currently scheduled among the historically black land grant institutions and the Native American land grant institutions, along with trainings among Spanish-speaking farmers and ranchers, veterans, and other populations that are underrepresented in agriculture.”

AgrAbility supports farmers with a range of disabilities, from hearing impairments to spinal cord injuries and paralysis. The project offers a wide range of services, including worksite assessments, assistance referrals and case management. AgrAbility was honored by NBFA because of its continued support of black farmers with disabilities around the country. NBFA supports tens of thousands of members across the country and advocates for civil rights, land retention and access to financing options for its membership base.

“AgrAbility is a project with demonstrated impact to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families and their communities continue to succeed in rural America,” Baldwin said.

For more information about AgrAbility visit: http://www.agrability.org/.

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