Robert J. “Bob” Fetsch, Ph.D. (co-director)
970-217-8162
Co-Director
Robert “Bob” Fetsch is a State Extension Specialist and Professor Emeritus in Colorado State University’s Department of Human Development & Family Studies. He is Co-Project Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project with Rebecca Hill. For 15 years now he has led the National AgrAbility Project’s Quality of Life (QOL) study with Colorado and 13 other states. Results have shown that:
- 82% (n = 136/165) of AgrAbility participants reported improved QOL levels.
- 83% (n = 140/168) of AgrAbility participants reported improved independent living and working levels.
- On average our AgrAbility group of 240 participants’ QOL levels increased 26%.
- On average their psychological well-being improved 28%.
- AgrAbility participants reported renewed hope, feeling worthwhile again, and regaining control over their lives.
Rebecca Hill is the Co-Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Rebecca is an Extension Professor at Colorado State University and Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI) Affiliate. She is an Agricultural Economist and currently teaches Water Law Policies and Institutions as well as Agricultural Marketing at CSU and conducts research related to Community and Economic Development.
Chad Reznicek is the Behavioral Health Specialist with the Colorado AgrAbility Project and committed to helping expand and improve behavioral health support and resources in rural communities. Prior to joining the AgrAbility Team, Chad spent 20 years as a licensed therapist, providing behavioral health services in diverse settings with special focus areas in suicide prevention, trauma, mood disorders, and substance abuse. Both of Chad’s parents were raised on farms and he grew up in a small farming community in central Nebraska with a deep respect for agriculture as the heart of our rural communities.
G. James Sanchez has been employed with Goodwill Industries of Denver for over 17 years. Mr. Sanchez has had many roles and worked on many programs during his time at Goodwill. He started as a Program Manager with the Advancement Plus program in Adams County and then became the Manager for all of the Adams County Goodwill Workforce Programs. He then started the Goodwill Career Employment program for Arapahoe County. Mr. Sanchez is now the Director of Career Development Services and oversees programs serving youth and adults. Prior to working with Goodwill, Mr. Sanchez had over 20 years’ experience working with for-profit and non-profit human services agencies in the Denver Metro area. Mr. Sanchez has worked with at-risk youth, incarcerated youth under Senate Bill 94, closed-head injured adults, HIV/AIDS adults and Section 8/low-income housing recipients. Mr. Sanchez has a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University.
Ms. Leather’s was raised in the rural plains of Eastern Colorado in an agricultural community and has worked in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability services for over 40 years. She received her Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Specialty Certification in Blind Rehabilitation from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado.
Ellis grew up on a multi-generational cow/calf ranch in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. She spent most summers raising market animals in 4-H, rodeoing, and helping with ranch operations. Ellis’ passion for agriculture started at a young age and, it led her to seek further education to advocate for the industry. Ellis started her college career at Northeastern Junior College, in Sterling, and found her voice for agriculture advocacy. She received her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Media and Communication at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX. Post-graduation, she and her husband moved back to Colorado for almost a year before she decided to pursue her Masters degree. During graduate school she worked in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences Dean’s office at West Texas A&M University, for two and a half years while completing research, writing her thesis, teaching undergraduate classes, but most of all growing professionally. August of 2022, she graduated and moved back to Colorado to pursue advocating for the industry. Ellis is excited to be apart of the AgrAbility team, as the Program Coordinator and make a real difference in agricultural producer’s lives.
Ashley Buchanan M. A. Ed/SPE, M. Ext. Ed. is excited to be a Rural Rehabilitation Specialist within the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Prior to joining the project, Ashley worked with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as both a VR Counselor and Business Outreach Specialist. She was a Special Education teacher within Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in multiple rural portions of Colorado. Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver, her first master’s in special education from the University of Phoenix and her second Masters of Extension Education from Colorado State University.
Julie Elliott is a licensed professional therapist, who spent 15+ years providing behavioral health services, vocational services, and education in diverse settings with special focus areas in trauma, suicide prevention, mood disorders, disability, families, and substance abuse. Julie grew up in Northwest Colorado and is from a 5th generation ranch family. She is committed to helping others improve their behavioral health by providing them with support and resources in their rural communities and embraces the strong spirit of the west and western agriculture.
Kirsten Wulfsberg is a licensed professional counselor, who spent 20 years working in psychiatric crisis management within a hospital/emergency department setting. Kirsten is passionate about behavioral health education, training and working with people in a preventative manner, and believes feeling engaged in your community is a key component of that.
Jim Kuemmerle has a background in clinical social work, prominent in rural communities in several states including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wyoming and Colorado. During the First Gulf War, he served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a flight operations specialist in an attack helicopter battalion and during the War of Terror, he served in the Pennsylvania and Colorado Army National Guard as a behavioral health officer in a mobile medical unit. Jim is a retired first responder, trained as a firefighter, EMT, and hazardous materials technician. He volunteers as a Boy Scout leader, serving as a mentor for the youth in his community, state and around the country.
