Efforts Are Moving Forward Through April 2026
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — University of Tennessee Extension is pleased to announce that the Tennessee AgrAbility Project has received an eight-month continuation award to support farmers with disabilities across the state. Funding is available through April 2026.
AgrAbility is a national USDA-sponsored program that helps farmers and ranchers with disabilities or chronic health conditions continue farming safely and successfully. Since 1994, TN AgrAbility has supported Tennessee farmers facing physical, cognitive or other challenges by identifying solutions to continue farming safely and productively through on-farm assessments, assistive technology support, education and networking. TN AgrAbility is administered through UT Extension in partnership with Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension as well as the STAR Center, a statewide technology access program.
Due to recent federal program changes and the absence of a new Request for Applications (RFA) earlier this year, the future of Tennessee AgrAbility was uncertain and the program began preparing for discontinuation. During this time, UT Extension stepped in to retain AgrAbility Specialists and ensure that open cases were closed with care. This interim support allowed TN AgrAbility to continue assisting farm families. With the new continuation funding, TN AgrAbility has returned to full operational capacity and is launching several exciting initiatives for the coming year.
Through the newly developed Tennessee branch of the Bridging Horizons Project, FFA chapters across Tennessee will be invited to design service projects that enhance accessibility for farmers with disabilities. Up to three chapters will receive $2,000 each to implement their ideas, with projects showcased at state FFA events and TN AgrAbility outreach programs.
TN AgrAbility will host a series of lunch and learn sessions featuring equipment demonstrations for UT Extension agents and vocational rehabilitation counselors to enhance their skills in serving farmers with disabilities. These sessions will accompany a new resource toolkit to support disability awareness and support across the state.
TN AgrAbility is also establishing a new Farmer Advisory Board to help guide TN AgrAbility’s program direction, ensuring that future activities reflect the needs and priorities of Tennessee farmers.
“I see AgrAbility as vital part of Extension’s mission to support our agricultural community,” says Shelli Rampold, project director. “This continuation allows us to not only resume our previous work but to expand our reach and impact through new training, youth engagement and farmer-led initiatives.”
Joetta White, who has served as a UT Extension TN AgrAbility specialist for 28 years, adds “It makes my heart happy to see those of all ages and genders with physical or learning challenges who work in agriculture, continue doing what they love. From firsthand experience, it is heartbreaking to see someone who has farming in their blood have to give it up. TN AgrAbility has also given me the opportunity to continue my love for farm safety for youth and adults. If one life was saved through a safety program I had the honor of presenting, then it was worthwhile.”
Eileen Legault, also a TN AgrAbility specialist with UT Extension, says “AgrAbility brings hope and a voice to farmers, helping them to farm independently and safely. Our best days are when we deliver life-changing assistive technology to farmers in need. We remain optimistic and committed to this mission.”
TN AgrAbility part of a dedicated team of educators and assistive technology specialists making a real impact. “Thank you to our partners throughout the ag industry, at UTIA and TSU Extension, USDA, and especially the Tennessee Department of Human Services/Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the state funding agency that often makes the assistive technology possible and accessible,” adds Legault.
Learn more at agrability.tennessee.edu.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.