In 2007, there were 29 fatal farm-related incidents in Pennsylvania. Adults aged 60 and over were the victims of most fatal farm accidents.

For Jerry Deal, farming is more than a job; it’s a way of life. It’s in his blood—a lineage going back more than 200 years when his relatives were the recipients of a land grant to begin farming the rich, rolling land of Somerset County. Deal, his brother, Paul, and nephew, Myron, raise 65 heifers and milk more than 110 cows. Deal wasn’t about to let severe arthritis in both knees affect his heritage and ability to work and manage the farming operation.

He learned about the AgrAbility Project from his daughter-in-law, and he was soon connected with the program in Pennsylvania. The program—which helps farmers with long-term injuries or health conditions remain on the job—is a national effort of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Pennsylvania, the program is run by Penn State’s Departments of Agricultural and Extension Education and Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Extension, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation.

“Initially I didn’t even know AgrAbility existed,” said Deal. “So, once we got connected, I was very happy to start work with them.”

The AgrAbility assessment team suggested Deal use after-market tractor steps, instead of ladders, on tractors to ease the entry and exit of the vehicles. The team also suggested modifying forage harvesters and wagons with speed hitches that would prevent the need to repeatedly get on and off the tractor. A utility vehicle was recommended to help Deal travel around the three farms that make up his farmstead. And to help finance the equipment modifications, they helped him navigate through the services available through the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

Deal said his partnership with AgrAbility has assisted him with continuing his participation with the family farming operation. “I have nothing but high praise for AgrAbility,” he added.

Conquering a Hazardous Work Environment

Farmers face one of the most hazardous work environments in the state, said Dr. Connie Baggett, associate professor of agricultural and extension education and project director of AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians. The constant interaction agricultural workers have with machinery increases the risk of serious injury and even death.

Nationally, in 2007, 715 deaths and 80,000 disabling injuries were attributed to agriculture.

Baggett said keeping farmers like Deal on the job benefits all Pennsylvanians. Agriculture is one of the state’s leading industries. “Ag production in Pennsylvania is one of the things the governor is proud of,” said Baggett. “And the more people we can keep on the job, the better our production will be.”

Linda Fetzer, coordinator for the program, said that not all the hazards of farming come from working around dangerous equipment; the arduous, repetitive tasks can cause significant wear and tear on the back, knees, and other joints and muscles.

“One misconception is that you have to be involved in a farm accident to qualify for AgrAbility,” said Fetzer. “Actually, we work with a lot of farmers who are suffering from the effects of arthritis and repetitious injuries.” The program helps provide on-site assessments of farm operations and offers recommendations on equipment modifications that can help these farmers return to work.

Stories From the Field

Like Deal, David Walrath, who has farmed his family’s northern Bradford County operation for nearly 60 years, suffered from joint and muscle pain—with debilitating hip, shoulder and arthritis problems for more than 20 years. AgrAbility professionals helped him connect with resources to make equipment changes to improve his ability to function on the farm. For example, a utility vehicle paid for by OVR provided much-needed mobility assistance. “It’s doubtful that I would be able to continue to work without the equipment and changes that have been made,” Walrath said.

Tim and Colby Lehman, ages 19 and 21 respectively, both had a lifelong dream to farm. Due to a genetic bone disorder, both men reached their full heights that are no taller than the average 8 year old. After their parents purchased a 119-acre dairy farm, AgrAbility and OVR worked with the family to help identify a special automatic glide for the brothers to move around the milking parlor with greater ease; they also recommended power-operated steps, automatic take-offs for the milkers and a handrail to access the milking area. Funding from OVR helped make the suggestions a reality on the farm. “[These modifications made] a huge difference for the boys,” said their mother, Tina Lehman.

Perhaps Dr. Angela Hissong, who as a field team member for AgrAbility works with the farmers, puts it best. Hissong, an instructor in occupational therapy at Penn State Mont Alto, lives on a farm herself and says that being a part of the AgrAbility team fulfills her passion for agriculture, rural communities and farming as a way of life.

“It is an overwhelming blessing to be part of a team that assists farmers with disabilities to get back to what they love—working with their families, the animals and the land,” said Hissong. Go to http://agexted.cas.psu.edu/agrab for more information.