AgrAbility PA

01/08/2026

Come visit us today at the AgrAbility table at the Keystone Farm Show if you are looking for ways to make farm work easier for individuals with disabilities.

12/18/2025

The nomination deadline for the 2026 PA Veteran Ag Entrepreneurship Award is fast approaching!
The 2026 PA Veteran Ag Entrepreneurship Award serves to recognize an exceptional active-duty service member, veteran, or military family member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector and it is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Business Development Center.

Nomination Deadline: December 19, 2025.

Award Ceremony will be held at the 2026 PA Farm Show - Thursday, January 15, 2026.
For information on how to nominate, scan the QR Code or visit: https://bit.ly/PAVetAgEntrepreneurshipAward
Questions can be directed to ABDC Director, Stephanie Shirk at steshirk@pa.gov

12/09/2025

Here's a follow up from yesterday's post! If you're looking for ergonomic snow shovels, check out the ones listed here! https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-snow-shovels/

12/08/2025

With all the snow in the coming months, it's important to remember to maintain safe shoveling technique! Overexertion and improper shoveling technique can increase your risk for a heart attack. "Cold temperatures may increase blood pressure while simultaneously constricting the coronary arteries. Those factors, combined with the higher heart rate from the extra physical effort, may increase the risk for acute cardiac events." American Heart Association volunteer Barry Franklin, Ph.D., FAHA.

Tips for Safe Shoveling:
BE SHOVEL SMART
- Go small, lightweight and ergonomically designed. Stick with a shovel that is under three pounds and with a handle long enough to allow for a good grip without crouching down. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is still lighter. A full wet shovel load can weigh as much as 25 pounds.
PACE YOURSELF
When shoveling, go very, very slowly. Head inside often and give yourself a chance to warm up. Limit shoveling to 15-minute clips or just 10 minutes if you are not used to exercise. Most important, listen to your body. Stop if you feel tired.
SAVE YOUR BACK
Try pushing the snow rather than lifting it. If you do lift, bend your knees and use your legs, not your back. Don’t remove deep snow all at once. Limit yourself to just an inch or two at a time, aiming for smaller, lighter loads rather than fewer, heavier ones.
WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS
Call 911 right away for any unusual signs and symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness or shortness of breath that may suggest a heart condition. Never pick up a snow shovel without a doctor’s okay if you have a history of heart trouble.
( Source: https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patientcare/askexpert/safeshoveling )
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Image description: A photo of a variety of different types of snow shovels laying in the snow.

12/03/2025

12/02/2025

11/25/2025

Since it's getting chilly around here, here's a re-share of a previous post about cold temperatures from AgSafety!

Winter Scene (Source: Wyoming AgrAbility) Use the following format to cite this article: Cold-related conditions and agriculture....

11/25/2025

11/20/2025

Switching it up with a little instead of Tuesday for you all! Today we're covering tractor and combine lifts! Check it out :)
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ID 1: A digital graphic with the title "Tech Tuesday: Tractor Lifts and Steps". There is a photo of a man on a lift platform getting in his tractor. The AgrAbility PA logo is at the bottom of the page.
ID 2: A digital graphic with the title "Seated Lifts" features two photographs. The left photograph shows a person seated on a large tire of a tractor with a lift mechanism visible. The right photographer depicts another person using a seated lift to access a blue tractor inside a garage or barn. Below the photographs, there is a list of conditions that seated lifts may work well for, including spinal cord injuries, lower extremity weakness, lower extremity amputation, and balance difficulties. At the bottom, there is a logo for "AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians".
ID 3: A digital graphic with the title "Standing Lifts" features two photographs. The left photograph features a large red agricultural machine with a standing lift attached to it. The right photograph features a man using a standing lift to access a green tractor. Below the photographs, there is a list indicating that standing lifts may work well for individuals with arthritis, back pain, lower extremity amputation, and knee pain. The AgrAbility PA logo is displayed at the bottom of the graphic.

11/17/2025

It's here at AgrAbility PA! Today we're highlighting one of our success story videos, featuring Jim Wright, a Veteran who served in the Army National Guard. Jim grew up on the farm he calls home today in Huntingdon County, Pa. His father was a beef farmer as was Jim until a fire on the farm destroyed the barn and equipment. He switched to raising sheep and goats. In May 2001, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) -- a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Jim reached out to AgrAbility PA for support and services, which included an on-site farm assessment to evaluate Jim's tasks and abilities. Pennsylvania's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) offered financial support to enable Jim to acquire a lift for his tractor, utility vehicle, and bulk storage bins and an electric cart for feeding. Take a look at Jim's testimonial video! https://youtu.be/AW6EOz0qFdA
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Video Description: Testimonial video from Jim Wright

Jim Wright, a Veteran who served in the Army National Guard, grew up on the farm he calls home today in Huntingdon County, Pa. His father was a beef farmer a...