Colorado AgrAbility announces 2019 Winter Workshops…
Western Slope rancher, Robert Andrews, a Marine Corps veteran, who, in his own words, ‘has been blown up three times’ and suffers from some physical impairments due to this combatrelated injuries wanted to find a way to continue his service after he retired from the Corps. As a United States Marine Senior NCO, Robert Andrews was used to mentoring his Marines. Now retired from the Corps but still having a servants heart, he has a desire to assist others after dealing with his own adversity. Robert wanted to use a sheep farm to help other small wool growers succeed. Robert has used AgrAbility and it’s 2017 Veterans grant to transition from military life to sheep ranching in the tiny town of Mack, Colorado. He found CAP through a
media ad and attendance at a CAP Winter Workshop. Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP) is a service created by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Denver and Colorado State University Extension. Reaching out to the staff, he set an appointment for an on-site farm/ranch assessment. The CAP staff made recommendations that would aid Robert in completing work tasks that he could not accomplish without assistance or
that he would just do but suffer the consequences of pain and fatigue But Andrews is not a quitter and he pressed forward. Now his ranch is off the ground and functioning well and Robert is reaching out to others and offering them a helping hand as a mentor.
Winter Workshops 2019
Below is a list of upcoming workshops that will be presented by Dr. Norman L. Dalsted, CSU Extension and by Candiss Leathers and Dr. James Craig, Goodwill Industries of Denver:
“ AgrAbility 101; Mental Wellness for Rural Farm Families”; Aging in Place/Home-Fit; and Financial Issues Affecting Farmers. If you want to participate, please call or email Candiss Leathers (720-539-4435); cleathers@goodwilldenver.org, or Norm Dalsted (970 222-5657); Norman.Dalsted@ColoState.EDU or the Extension Office listed below for more information no later than one week prior to the workshop.
About Colorado AgrAbility Project
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. Learn more online @ https://agrability.agsci.colostate.edu/
About Goodwill Industries of Denver
Goodwill Industries of Denver seeks to reverse the cycle of poverty through career preparation and skills training for at-risk youth, struggling families, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Through its thrift retail operations and community programs, Goodwill is ensuring that every individual in our community has the opportunity to live to their fullest potential and overcome barriers to success and self-sufficiency. Visit www.goodwilldenver.org to learn more