Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation Agricultural Services Partnership Overview
Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation's Agricultural Services team, led by Director Ray Drake, focuses on supporting individuals with disabilities in the agricultural sector. They collaborate with partners like the Missouri Farm Bureau to provide guidance, technical assistance, and training for farmers. The team attends events like the Western MO Farm Show and engages in share cropping initiatives with the MO AgrAbility Project to enhance services for farmers with disabilities.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
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.
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
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
