The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the home of Kenny and Kelli Young of 2528 Connecticut River Road (Route 5). At noon, the Youngs will offer a free catered luncheon for the first 100 attendees.
Sarah Launderville, executive director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living (a sponsor of the event), said, “We are pleased that Kenny is opening his home to folks who want tips and to see what adaptive farming equipment looks like. This is what independent living is all about. It is about one person who has a disability sharing their knowledge and experience with other people who have disabilities so that more people can realize their dream of farming.”
She added, “We are hoping a broad group of people come to this open house — people who have disabilities, other farmers, veterans interested in farming, women interested in farming and people who just want to see what adaptive farming equipment looks like.”
The Youngs will show how they overcame barriers from Kenny’s severe accident approximately eight years ago. With the use of adaptive equipment on the farm and at home, he continues to be actively involved in the farm operation. Kenny also constantly helps others, such as by teaching skiing to people with disabilities.
Guest speakers will talk about how to continue farming safely amid health issues. There will be several information booths and lots of fun interactive activities, including: a tour of the Youngs’ accessible home, an accessible equipment demonstration, an adaptive tools demonstration and an all-terrain wheelchair — the Action TrackChair.
The event will provide an opportunity to share with others about your own experience and struggles with farming. Finding someone else who knows what you have been through is very important and helpful.
This free and public event is sponsored by UVM Extension’s Vermont AgrAbility program and VCIL. VCIL, a nonprofit organization directed and staffed by individuals with disabilities, works to promote the dignity, independence and civil rights of Vermonters with disabilities. Vermont AgrAbility is a program that provides education and assistance at no cost to farmers and farm workers with disabilities who are engaged in production agriculture and want to continue farming.
For more information about the Farmer’s Field Day, contact Tom Younkman at tyounkman@vcil.org or 1-800-639-1522.
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