The Colorado AgrAbility Project is a partnership between Colorado State University Extension and Goodwill Industries of Colorado. The program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to provide education, and services to farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers and their families with physical challenges, limitations, or disabilities. Since 1998, Colorado AgrAbility has promoted independence and enhanced the quality of life among producers by providing the support they need to begin, remain, or regain employment in agriculture.
In 2021, the Behavioral Health Recovery Act (Colorado Senate Bill 21-137) expanded AgrAbility to mandate the provision of behavioral health support services, preventative education, stress management resources, and suicide prevention initiatives for farmers, ranchers, agriculture workers, and rural communities. This investment significantly increased AgrAbility’s capacity with new resources and personnel including, four Regional Behavioral Health Specialists and three Colorado State University campus-based faculty that specialize in rural health.
Together this team offers comprehensive physical and behavioral health support at both the individual and community levels. This includes one-on-one resource referrals and serving as a dedicated community partner focused on convening and building capacity in the area of rural health.