WESTERN SLOPE – Colorado AgrAbility, with support from Colorado’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, will host three free workshops covering disability on-site evaluations, resource information, equipment modification and assistive technology, in on the Western Slope in November.

The workshop Gear for Working Smarter with AgrAbility takes place Thursday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Naturita Regional Library. Lunch is included for those who pre-register at least one week prior in advance. To register, call the CSU Extension Office in Norwood at 970/327-4393 with your name, email and phone number and number of your group attending or email Mary Watson at maryw@sanmiguelcounty.org.

Workshops will also be held in Mancos, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and in Dove Creek on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Western Slope goat and chicken farmer Vickie Paxton, who has rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, attended a Colorado AgrAbility workshop, after which an occupational therapist came to her farm – at no cost – with suggestions for alternative ways to feed and milk her goats, clean the pens, and get around the property with less effort, protecting her joints and conserving her energy.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation , a state agency that assists injured workers, then provided new equipment for Paxton for cleaning the goat pens; she is now working with Natural Resource Conservation Service, through their high tunnel program, to extend her vegetable crop production season, and hopes that raised container beds and ergonomic tools will further ease her joint pain.

Colorado AgrAbility will host nine free workshops across Colorado this winter.

For more information about the Colorado AgrAbility Project or to pre-register, participants can call Dr. Bob Fetsch 970/491-5648, e-mail Robert.fetsch@colostate.edu  or visit http://www.agrability.cahs.colostate.edu. Local Contact is Yvette Henson, CSU Extension County Director at 970-327-4393 or email Yvette at Yvette.henson@colostate.edu .

Colorado State University Extension and Goodwill Industries of Denver work together on the Colorado AgrAbility Project to provide disability workshops, on-site evaluations, resource information, equipment modification and assistive technology. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides funding for the Colorado AgrAbility Project.