USDA AgrAbility Funding for Farmers With Disabilities

Author: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Published: 19 Jan 2017 - Updated: 7 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This announcement from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture details federal funding opportunities specifically designed to help agricultural workers with disabilities maintain and advance their careers. The information proves valuable because it addresses a frequently overlooked population - farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers who acquire disabilities or veterans with service-connected disabilities seeking agricultural careers. Since 1991, the AgrAbility program has connected thousands of individuals with practical resources including assistive technology assessments, workplace modifications, peer support networks, and educational materials tailored to agricultural settings. The program's authority stems from its administration through NIFA in partnership with the Cooperative Extension System and nonprofit disability organizations, creating a credible nationwide network of expertise that helps people with mobility issues, visual impairments, and other limitations continue productive work in farming and ranching operations.*

At a Glance

• 1 - AgrAbility projects are competitively funded for four-year periods. Continued funding depends on available funds and satisfactory annual progress.
• 2 - NIFA currently funds 21 active AgrAbility projects nationwide. These include the National AgrAbility Project and 20 state and regional projects.
• 3 - Eligible projects focus on four areas: education, networking, assistance, and marketing. Each helps providers build capacity to serve people with disabilities.
• 4 - Colorado State University runs the Colorado AgrAbility Project for veterans. Its work delivers education, workshops, and outreach through state and local veteran service agencies.

Topic Definition

AgrAbility

AgrAbility is a national program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture that helps farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities continue working in agriculture. Established in 1991, it operates through partnerships between the Cooperative Extension System and nonprofit disability organizations, delivering practical services such as assistive technology assessments, workplace modifications, peer support, and education tailored to farm and ranch settings. The program serves a wide range of people, including older farmers adapting to mobility changes and military veterans starting agricultural careers, with the goal of keeping skilled workers productive on the land while building local expertise in disability accommodation.

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $540,000 in available funding for State and regional projects that provide education, assistive technology and other support to current and prospective farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Since 1991, NIFA's AgrAbility program has helped thousands of individuals with disabilities, including older farmers and Veterans, achieve success in agricultural occupations.

"Whether you are an experienced farmer facing mobility issues or a Veteran starting a new career in agriculture, AgrAbility works with the Cooperative Extension System and nonprofit disability organizations to open doors to people with disabilities," said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. "The AgrAbility network gives health, farm and government service providers tools to provide greater access to the agricultural profession."

This funding opportunity will support the development of new State and regional AgrAbility Projects that help providers build their capacity to serve people with disabilities. Projects also directly provide assistance to people with disabilities.

Eligible projects focus on the following:

• Education: Projects help health, farm and government service providers develop or evaluate educational resources on accommodating disabilities and avoiding secondary injuries in persons with disabilities.
• Networking: Projects support information sharing among customers, peer supporters, volunteer groups, funders and other stakeholders.
• Assistance: Projects offer consultation services to AgrAbility customers and their farm operations to help them achieve success.
• Marketing: Projects promote awareness of AgrAbility resources for eligible individuals.

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2017. See the request for applications on NIFA's AgrAbility web page for more information.

AgrAbility projects are competitively funded for four-year periods. Continued funding of a project is dependent on the availability of funds each year and the demonstration of satisfactory annual progress. All proposals include specific, measurable accomplishments for each project year. NIFA currently is funding 21 active AgrAbility projects.

Currently funded projects include the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) and 20 state and regional AgrAbility projects. Earlier projects include one by University of Tennessee Extension that provides briefings to the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, direct education to farmers, farm workers and their families, webinars on assistive technology, and youth safety events. Colorado State University runs the Colorado AgrAbility Project, delivering education, workshops, marketing and outreach to Veterans through collaboration with state and local Veteran service agencies.

In the video The Next Mission, retired U.S. Marine Jon Turner describes how AgrAbility helped him transition into farming at Wild Roots Farm in Vermont:

"I ended up linking with people in AgrAbility and that has been really wonderful because it's not just working with Veterans, it's working with people with all types of disabilities and all types of backgrounds and they're all farming different things," said Turner. "Now I'm in the process of developing a Veterans regenerative agricultural program... to help them be involved in farming and gardening that also acts as horticultural therapy."

NIFA invests in and advances innovative and transformative research, education and extension to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA support for the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability and ensuring food safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Who is eligible for AgrAbility services

AgrAbility serves current and prospective farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers who have a disability, including older farmers adapting to physical changes and military veterans entering agriculture.

How much does it cost to use AgrAbility

Direct assistance from state and regional AgrAbility projects is generally provided at no cost to eligible farmers and ranchers, since the program is federally funded through NIFA.

What states have AgrAbility projects

AgrAbility operates through state and regional projects across the country, with examples including Colorado, Tennessee, and Vermont, alongside a National AgrAbility Project that supports the network.

How do I contact my local AgrAbility program

You can find your nearest project through the National AgrAbility Project website, which lists state and regional contacts and connects you with the Cooperative Extension System in your area.

What kinds of assistive technology does AgrAbility recommend

AgrAbility recommends adaptations such as modified tractor lifts, hand controls, accessible livestock handling equipment, and tools that reduce strain, chosen to match each person's farm operation and disability.

Does AgrAbility help with mental health or stress

Many AgrAbility projects address behavioral health by offering stress and coping resources, peer support networks, and referrals, recognizing that farming carries emotional as well as physical challenges.

Can veterans use AgrAbility to start a new farm

Yes, AgrAbility works with veteran service agencies to help veterans begin agricultural careers, offering training, education, and connections to farming and gardening programs that can also support therapy goals.

How is AgrAbility different from vocational rehabilitation

AgrAbility focuses specifically on agriculture and farm work, providing farm-specific expertise, while vocational rehabilitation covers many occupations, and the two often collaborate to fund equipment and services.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The AgrAbility initiative represents a practical recognition that agricultural work - often physically demanding and involving specialized equipment - need not exclude individuals with disabilities when proper accommodations and technologies are implemented. What makes this program particularly significant is its dual focus: it not only provides direct assistance to farmers and ranchers facing disability-related challenges but also builds systemic capacity by training health providers, agricultural extension agents, and government service workers to better understand and address accessibility needs in farming contexts. As the agricultural workforce ages and more veterans seek meaningful careers in food production, programs that preserve institutional knowledge while adapting workplaces for changing physical capabilities become essential to both individual livelihoods and the broader sustainability of American agriculture.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture and published on 19 Jan 2017, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.