State Project Feature: Overview of Iowa AgrAbility Project

Easter Seals Iowa State University

The Easter Seals Iowa FaRM Program was established in 1986 to help farm families affected by physical disabilities meet their needs in the following areas: agricultural worksite modification consultation; independent living and community services coordination; health care services coordination; peer support services and vocational counseling/job placement. The original FaRM Program, now Easter Seals Iowa Rural Solutions, was the primary model for the National AgrAbility Program. In 1991, Easter Seals Iowa partnered with Iowa State University Extension and received one of the first USDA State AgrAbility Project grants. The partners have continued to re-apply for and receive USDA AgrAbility grant funds each year since. Currently Iowa has an AgrAbility client base of approximately 900 farmers who are either active, in follow-up or in a closed status.

Iowa State University Extension

Iowa State University Extension builds partnerships and provides research-based learning opportunities to improve quality of life in Iowa . We believe in quality, access, diversity, and accountability. We are dedicated to engagement, entrepreneurship, and local presence.

Iowa State University is the state’s land-grant institution with the mission of learning, discovery, and engagement. Historically, ISU Extension has led the university in its formal engagement mission to Iowans. With an ISU Extension presence in every county, ISU Extension continues to engage the people of Iowa with education and information through six program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry, Communities, Families, 4-H Youth Development, and Continuing Education and Communication Services.

Iowa AgrAbility Project Staff

Tracy Keninger
Tracy Keninger holds a B.S. in Education and an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Minnesota State University in Mankato . Ms. Keninger grew up on a farm in rural Iowa . Currently, she is working on her doctorate in Rehabilitation at Drake University in Des Moines . Ms. Keninger oversees the Easter Seals Rural Solutions Program. She is also responsible for initiating Easter Seals program development activities across the state of Iowa and has worked for Easter Seals for 13 years.

Chuck Larson
Larson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University , Ames , Iowa , as well as a Guidance and Counseling Master’s degree from University of Missouri . In 2002, Larson was awarded the Rolfe Karlson Award for Staff Excellence at Easter Seals Iowa. Larson has been employed as Rural Rehabilitation Specialist with Easter Seals Rural Solutions Program for 15 years.

Tony Wernimont
Tony Wernimont holds a Bachelor of Technology in Agricultural Business and Agronomy from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville . Wernimont has been employed with Easter Seals Rural Solutions as a Rehabilitation Specialist for nearly two years. Wernimont was a former client of the Easter Seals Rural Solutions Program as result of a farm related incident in November of 1997. Wernimont’s love for agricultural grew in college, in addition to his interest in serving other farmers with disabilities.

Mary Yearns
Mary Yearns, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Extension Housing Specialist at Iowa State University . Her subject matter interests focus on the housing needs of an aging population and persons with disabilities. She has designed several interactive exhibits on universal design and home accessibility that have been demonstrated at a wide variety of fairs, agricultural expos, and educational events around the Midwest . She has served as Project Coordinator for the Iowa AgrAbility Project since 1991. She has drawn many remodeling plans for AgrAbility consumers to help them modify their homes for accessibility.

Erin Haafke
Erin graduated from Iowa State University in May 2003 with a BS in Child and Family Services and a minor in Gerontology. She’s been working for Iowa State University Extension for six months as Program Specialist for the AgrAbility program. Erin joins Chuck and Tony in meeting AgrAbility consumers across the state and bringing extension’s resources to their front door.

A color photo of the Iowa AgrAbility Project staff standing together in front of a building.
From left: Mary Yearns, Iowa State University Extension (ISU Ext); Erin Haafke, ISU Ext; Chuck Larson, Easter Seals Rural Solutions (ES RS); Tony Wernimont, ES RS; Tracy Keninger, ES RS

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In This Issue
Section 1: Client Story – True Collaborations Section 2: Focus & Assistive Technology Notes – Traumatic Brain Injury	Section 3: State Project Feature – Overview of Iowa AgrAbility Project Section 4: References and Resources Section 5: Contacts