SW New Mexico News

The New Mexico AgrAbility Project is set to host the 2025 AgrAbility National Training Workshop from March 24-27 in Las Cruces. This event will bring together professionals from health, manufacturing, and education sectors with disabled farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers nationwide. The project is a collaborative effort involving New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, New Mexico Technology Assistance Program, Mandy’s Farm, and the University of New Mexico-Occupational Therapy Graduate Program.

"Hosting the AgrAbility National Training Workshop in Las Cruces, in addition to the exhibit at the Farm and Ranch Museum is certain to draw much public interest," stated Julie LaJeunesse, program manager for New Mexico AgrAbility. She emphasized their eagerness to assist those with disabilities who are curious about how assistive technologies might facilitate a return to farming.

The four-day workshop includes plenary sessions, breakout discussions, tours, networking opportunities, and special events. It begins with a preconference and welcome reception on March 24 at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces. The main conference days on March 25-26 will take place at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. On March 27, attendees can participate in post-conference tours of locations such as Santa Teresa Cattle Border Crossing and White Sands National Park.

Robert Hagevoort from NMSU Agricultural Science Center highlighted that "NMSU experts in remote sensing technologies will discuss and demonstrate novel technologies which can make ranching and farming more accessible for people with disabilities." He explained how GPS technology could be used to monitor livestock behavior remotely while drones assist in managing crops.

Keynote speaker Tiffany Sanchez will share her experiences as a New Mexico AgrAbility client who continues farming despite a spinal cord injury sustained from being bucked off a horse. She utilizes tools like an Action Trackchair for her farm work. Breakout sessions during the workshop will cover topics such as agricultural Assistive Technology and support for veteran farmers.

In January, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum launched an exhibit showcasing stories of AgrAbility clients overcoming disabilities to continue or return to farming. The exhibit also highlights opportunities for returning veterans interested in agriculture.

For further details about conference registration and schedules, visit http://www.agrability.org/training-events/in-person/.