Planting and Harvesting Partnerships Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation 2019

Missouri VR Agricultural Services Mission Help eligible people with disabilities obtain, maintain or advance in employment. Vision Everyone deserves a great VR experience

Missouri VR Values Farmers MO employs 298,320 workers in farm and agribusiness occupations. MO ranks second (to Texas) in the nation in the number of farms. A majority of counties in Missouri have a economy based on agriculture.

Dedicated Farm Services Team Director: Ray Drake Team Members: Karri Wilson and Rob Zirfas Purpose of the team: Provide support and guidance to VR counselors, consult on services for farmers, farm visits to provide technical guidance and assistance Participate in continued education by attending farm related conferences DEVELOP PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Reaching out to our Neighbors Planting the seed with Mo Farm Bureau Relationship with Farm Bureau Staff Round table discussions about VR services and how MO FB can connect us to farmers and ranchers Participation in major Farm Bureau events

Harvested Opportunities Attendance at Western MO Farm Show The Western Farm Show is the Midwest's best indoor farm show with hundreds of exhibitors, acres of things to see and do and the latest in farm and ranch technology and more!

Harvested Opportunities Mo Farm Bureau Annual Meeting MO FB Annual Meeting is an opportunity for MO FB members to gather, learn about the latest trends in agriculture, meet other like-minded individuals and enjoy great food and entertainment.

Aligning our Farm Services Team with MO AgrAbility Project Share Cropping Aligning our Farm Services Team with MO AgrAbility Project *Share referral information *VR Purchase of Agricultural Consultations *VR staff participate in AgrAbility farm site assessments *Provide joint training opportunities for AgrAbility program and VR staff

Down on the Farm – VR Services Training Fertilize Staff Down on the Farm – VR Services Training Purpose – increase general knowledge of farm culture, farming operations, and importance of agriculture in MO economy. Provide specific guidance for providing VR services to farmers. Two day event Held onsite at farm Open to all Missouri VR staff

Presentations by: Mo VR Farm Services Team MO AgrAbility Project P.H.A.R.M Dog Vendors of farm products and services Farmers And More!!

Participants Experience Weather conditions on the farm (rain, snow, sleet, or heat the training goes on) Drive or ride in ATV Ride in modern combine Visit modern broiler farm Visit horse stable Working dog demonstration Farm-style Lunch And More!!!

Yielding A Bumper Crop Experience Farm Culture – up close and personal Increase understanding of the complexities of farming Hear directly from men and women who make their living on the farm Opportunity to ask questions and have conversations with VR farm services team and AgrAbility staff

Harvest Statistics proof that partnerships yield high rewards Examples of services VR provides to farmers: tractor lift, ATV, gate openers, bale bed, cattle panels, truck modification, hand controls for equipment, consultation and guidance and counseling Number of Missouri Farmers Served by VR in 2018: 40 Dollars Spent: $359,000.00 Number of successful employment outcomes for farmers: 40

Contact the Presenters Ray Drake: 417-448-1351 raymond.drake@vr.dese.mo.gov Karri Wilson: 660-530-5560 Karen.Wilson@vr.dese.mo.gov Rob Zirfas: 816-387-2280 robert.zirfas@vr.dese.mo.gov