At a glance…
- An estimated 160 agricultural workers are injured every day as a result of workplace injuries, resulting in more than 58,000 injuries a year.
- AgrAbility rural rehabilitation specialists offer on-farm assessments, evaluations, and tailored recommendations for physical and behavioral health support, assistive technology, workplace modifications, and resources to support independence.
- In 2025, Colorado AgrAbility Project rural rehabilitation specialists provided 26 new on-farm assessments, 14 Department of Vocational Rehabilitation full assessment referral reports and direct services and support for approximately 40 clients statewide.
Agricultural work is physically and psychologically demanding. Injuries, disabilities, and long-term health conditions can threaten the ability of farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers to continue working. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control suggests that agriculture is one of the most dangerous businesses in the United States. An estimated 160 agricultural workers are injured every day as a result of workplace injuries, resulting in more than 58,000 injuries a year.
According to a 2019 USDA report, approximately 19% of farmers have a disability. In Colorado, there are an estimated 67,000 farmers and ranchers; this would equate to almost 13,000 people working with a disability. Many agricultural workers lack access to health care, rehabilitation services, assistive technology, or coordinated support that would allow them to remain productive, safe, and able to continue working.
The Colorado AgrAbility Project, a partner program of Colorado State University Extension and Goodwill Industries of Colorado, is dedicated to ensuring that farmers, ranchers and agriculture workers with a disability or physical limitations can continue working safely and successfully in agriculture. AgrAbility rural rehabilitation specialists offer on-farm assessments, evaluations, and tailored recommendations for physical and behavioral health support, assistive technology, workplace modifications, and resources to support independence. The specialists also assist clients in applying for assistive technology through the Colorado Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
In 2025, Colorado AgrAbility Project rural rehabilitation specialists provided 26 new on-farm assessments, 14 Department of Vocational Rehabilitation full assessment referral reports and direct services and support for approximately 40 clients statewide. On-farm recommendations address worker barriers and focus on practical strategies to improve access and safety, as well as equipment and workplace modifications.
Through on-farm assessments, evaluations and DVR application support, the 14 DVR clients were supported in applying for $1,040,000 in assistive technology to increase safety and maintain agricultural productivity. The combination of on-site evaluations, physical health and behavioral health referrals improved AgrAbility clients’ ability to continue or return to agricultural work despite physical limitations.
The work of the Colorado AgrAbility Project strengthens Colorado communities by helping farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers experiencing physical limitations due to injury, disability, or age-related issues.
These services allow these individuals to continue working in agriculture while remaining safe and active, economically stable, and enhancing the long-term resilience of the state’s agricultural workforce.