AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities

Grants to USA and territories cooperative extensions at qualifying colleges and universities for programs to improve agricultural production by farmworkers, farmers, and farm family members with disabilities. Applicants are advised that required registrations must be completed prior to applying. Funding is intended to support projects that deliver education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing activities. Applications are not accepted from New York City institutions.

The AgrAbility program supports United States rural communities by:

1. Supporting cooperative programs between State Cooperative Extension Service agencies and private nonprofit disability organizations to provide on-the-farm agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities who are engaged in farming and farm-related occupations and their families and
2. Enabling a national private nonprofit disability organization to provide technical assistance, training, information dissemination, and other activities to support community-based direct service programs of on-site rural rehabilitation and assistive technology for individuals (including veterans) with disabilities, and their families, who are engaged in farming or farm-related occupations or, in the case of veterans with disabilities, who are pursuing new farming opportunities.

The AgrAbility Program focuses on identifying technologies that support farmers with disabilities to continue in agriculture production also aligns with the USDA Agricultural Innovation Agenda. The AgrAbility Program is aligned with the following FY 2018 – FY 2022 USDA Strategic Goals:

1. Strategic Goal 1: Ensure USDA Programs Are Delivered Efficiently, Effectively, With Integrity and a Focus on Customer Service;
2. Strategic Goal 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers to Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World; and
3. Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development.

NIFA is soliciting applications under the following AgrAbility program areas:

1. National AgrAbility Project (NAP)
2. State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs)

To address the specialized needs of AgrAbility customers, the program builds service capacity on national, regional, state, and local levels through education and networking. The program provides direct assistance to individuals with disabilities who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. The form of assistance for the AgrAbility customer is dependent on the immediate needs that are inadequately addressed by health, farm, and government service providers.

The AgrAbility program funds projects that deliver education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing activities. For more information, see https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/rfa/FY-2021-AgrAbility-Mod-RFA-508.pdf#page=7.