What is NC AgrAbility?
AgrAbility is a federally-funded grant program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food Safety (USDA-NIFA). The NC AgrAbility Partnership (NCAP) assists farmers or farmworkers struggling mentally or physically to remain in, or Veterans entering into, production agriculture in all 100 North Carolina counties and on tribal lands.
NC AgrAbility is an affiliate of the National AgrAbility Project. NC AgrAbility is headquartered at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) and partners with East Carolina University’s College of Allied Health Sciences and the North Carolina Assistive Technology Project to assist farmers and farmworkers struggling mentally or physically to remain in farming or Veterans entering agricultural production. It is also a project of NC A&T Agromedicine platform, and works in partnership with the NC Agromedicine Institute.
Am I Eligible for Services Through NC AgrAbility?
Anyone engaged in agricultural production in North Carolina is eligible for our services. NC AgrAbility serves farmers, farmworkers, and Veterans in agriculture struggling with physical, mental, or health-related conditions.
How Much Do Services Cost?
NC AgrAbility provides services at no cost, including on-site farm assessments and consultations. However, NC AgrAbility may recommend a resource within the community or an assistive solution with a cost, which you may choose to explore. NC AgrAbility tries to connect you with as many free or minimal-cost resources as possible.
What’s Assistive Technology?
Assistive or adaptive technology (AT) includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling you to perform tasks you were formerly unable to accomplish or had difficulty achieving.
What Happens When I Call NC AgrAbility?
NC AgrAbility learns more about you, your farming operation, your daily tasks, and what challenges or limitations you face due to physical or mental challenges. Then, NC AgrAbility creates a tailored assistance plan with solutions and recommendations based on your work-related needs and goals.
In some cases, referrals to resources may be all you need to achieve your goals, or NC AgrAbility may determine that it’s best to perform an on-site assessment of your situation firsthand and what methods may or may not work to help you.