Disability and Agriculture: Bibliography of Selected Publications and Media

Introduction

One of the most important impacts of the AgrAbility Program has been the contributions made to the body of knowledge related to working with farmers, ranchers, and farm workers with disabilities. This can include new Extension publications, websites, audio-visual resources, and articles published in archival publications. The following list includes peer-reviewed articles or reviewed conference proceedings that are available to current and future researchers and educators to enhance their understanding of key issues, prevent re-inventing of the wheel, and provide evidence-based strategies for future programming. These articles offer credible sources of information that enhance the capacity of professionals in the field the to design and implement more effective programs to better serve AgrAbility clientele. This body of knowledge has been produced over the past 35 years of AgrAbility’s existence and, hopefully, will continue to expand into the future.

  1. Wilkinson, T.L. and W.E. Field. Safety Issues Relating to Agricultural Machines Modified for Disabled Operators. Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors. Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (North-Holland), pp. 675-682. 1988.
  2. Wilkinson, T.L. and W.E. Field. Documentation of Agricultural Tractor and Combine Modifications for Physically Disabled Operators. Assistive Technology. 1(2). 1989.
  3. Purschwitz, M.A. and W.E. Field. Fatal Farm Injuries to Older Workers. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation. 2(1):47-53. 1991.
  4. Freeman, S.A., D.A. Brusnighan, and W.E. Field. Selecting Mobility Aids for Farmers and Ranchers with Physical Disabilities. Technology and Disability. 1(4):63-76. 1992.
  5. Yu, Z. and D. Brown. Where Will Indiana Farmers with Physical Disabilities Find Jobs? Purdue Agricultural Economics Report:6-9. 1992.
  6. Petrea, R.E. Special Populations: Need, Size and Nature. The Agricultural Education Magazine. 65 (9):19-20. 1993.
  7. Freeman, S.A., D.D. Jones, and W.E. Field. Rural Assistive Technology Hypermedia Decision Support System. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 10(6):823-830. 1994. (1995 ASAE Paper Award)
  8. Freeman, S.A. and W.E. Field. Selection of Rural Assistive Technology Using a HyperCard Based Knowledge System. Assistive Technology. 6(2):126-133. 1994.
  9. Tormoehlen, R.L. and W.E. Field. A Perfect Fit — Involving Youth with Disabilities in 4-H. Journal of Extension, 32(1):5. 1994.
  10. Tormoehlen, R.L. and W.E. Field. Projecting Economic Losses Associated with Farm-related Permanent Disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 1(1):27-36. 1995.
  11. Allen, P.B., W.E. Field, and M.J. Frick. Assessment of Work-related Injury Risk for Farmers and Ranchers with Physical Disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 1(2):71-81. 1995.
  12. Whitman, S.D. and W.E. Field. Assessing Senior Farmers’ Perceptions of Tractor and Machinery-related Hazards. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 1(3). 1995.
  13. Sheldon, E.J., W.E. Field, and R.L. Tormoehlen. Fatal Farm Work-related Injuries Involving Children. Issues in Agricultural Health and Safety, CRC Press, pp. 355-362. 1995.
  14. Allen, P.B., M.J. Frick, and W.E. Field. The Safety Education Training Needs of Farmers and Ranchers with Physical Disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Education. 36(3). 1995.
  15. Gruver, M.I., P.B. Allen, W.E. Field, and J. Schweitzer. Plowshares #27, Potential Health and Safety Risks of Farming/Ranching with a Disability. West Lafayette, IN, Breaking New Ground Resource Center, Purdue University. 1997.
  16. Young, A.E., G.C. Murphy, and R.P. Strasser. Rehabilitation Following Spinal Cord Injury: The Facilitatory Impact of the Rural Social Setting. Journal of Family Studies. 6 (2):231-244. 2000.
  17. Field, W.E. Breaking New Ground – Assisting Farmers with Disabilities Through the Application of Assistive Technology. Journal of Mine Action. 6(3). 2003.
  18. Schuler, R.T. and M.E. Novak. Adapting Farm Equipment for Workers with Disabilities. Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Paper 2004-01-2704. 2004.
  19. Young, A.E., R. Strasser, and G.C. Murphy. Agricultural Workers’ Return to Work Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Comparison with Other Industry Workers. Disability and Rehabilitation. 26 (17):1013-1022. 2004.
  20. Jones, P.J. and W.E. Field. Caregiving in the Heartland: Outreach Through Innovation and Collaboration. The Journal of Extension. June, 2005.
  21. Meyer, R.H. and R.J. Fetsch. National AgrAbility Project impact on farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 12(4):275-291. 2006.
  22. Christen, C.T. and R.J. Fetsch. Colorado AgrAbility: Enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts targeting farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Journal of Applied Communications. 92(1&2):57-73. 2008.
  23. Deboy, G.R., P.J. Jones, W.E. Field, J.M. Metcalf, and R.L. Tormoehlen. Estimating the Prevalence of Disability Within the U.S. Farm and Ranch Population. Journal of Agromedicine. 13(3). 2008.
  24. Racz, C.W. and W.E. Field. Dissemination of Assistive Technology Information to Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 17(3):187-207. 2011.
  25. Mathew, S.N., W.E. Field, and B.F. French. Utilizing 19 Case Studies to Develop an Assessment Process to Evaluate Secondary Injury Potential of Assistive Technology Adopted by Farmers with Disabilities. Journal of Agromedicine. JA 796. 16(3):210-225. 2011.
  26. Mathew, S.N., W.E. Field, and B.F. French. Content Validation Using Expert Panel: Assessment Process for Assistive Technology Adopted by Farmers with Disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 17 (3):227-241. 2011.
  27. Mathew, S.N. and W.E. Field. Impact of Vocational Rehabilitation Services on AgrAbility Projects and Farmers with Disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 35(2). 2011.
  28. Mathew, S.N. and W.E. Field. Assessing the Relationship Between AgrAbility Projects and State Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 35 (2). 2011.
  29. Schweitzer, R.A., G.R. Deboy, P.J. Jones, and W.E. Field. AgrAbility Mental/Behavioral Health for Farm/Ranch Families with Disabilities. Journal of Agromedicine. 16 (2):87-98. 2011.
  30. Cook, K.E. and W.E. Field. Proceedings of Arthritis, Agriculture, and Rural Life: State of the Art Research, Practices, and Applications Conference, West Lafayette, IN, May 11-13, 2011. Journal of Agromedicine. 16(4):311-318. 2011.
  31. Hamm, K. E., W.E. Field, P.J. Jones, A. Wolfe, and E. Olson. Twenty Years of AgrAbility: A Retrospective Forum. Journal of Agromedicine. 17(4):410-14. 2012.
  32. Geng, Q., R.W. Stuthridge, and W.E. Field. Hazards for Farmers with Disabilities: Working in Cold Environments. Journal of Agromedicine, 18(2), 140-150. 2013.
  33. Wilhite, C., & Jaco, M. L. Continuing Education in Physical Rehabilitation and Health Issues of Agricultural Workers. Journal of Agromedicine, 19(3), 325-332. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2014.916641. 2014.
  34. Stuthridge, R.W. and W.E. Field. Factors Influencing the Adoption of an Ergonomic for one Approach to the Design of Assistive Technology for Agricultural Workers with Disabilities: Consequences for Safety. Proceedings of the Irish Ergonomic Society. 2014.
  35. Fetsch, R.J. and D.M. Jackman. Colorado’s AgrAbility Project’s effects on KASA and practice changes with agricultural producers and professionals. Journal of Extension. 53(6), Article # 6FEA6. Available from http://www.joe.org/joe/2015december/a6.php. December 2015.
  36. Ehlers, S.G. and W.E. Field. Rearward Visibility Issues Related to Agricultural Tractors and Self-Propelled Machinery: Contributing Factors, Potential Solutions. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 22(1). 2016.
  37. Jackman, D.M., R.J. Fetsch, and C.L. Collins. Quality of life and independent living and working levels of farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 9:226-233. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2015.09.002. 2016.
  38. Wilhite, C.S., W.E. Field, and M. Jaramillo. Tractor Seating for Operators with Paraplegia. Assistive Technology, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 37-42. 2017.
  39. Wilhite, C.S., W.E. Field, M. Jaramillo, and K. Sullivan. Comparisons of Agricultural Seating for Paraplegia. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. Vol. 23(1): pp. 23-37. 2017.
  40. Fetsch, R. J. and C.L. Collins. The effects of AgrAbility on the Mental/Behavioral Health of Farmers and Ranchers with Functional Limitations: A Comparison Study. Medical Research Archives. 6(2).
  41. Fetsch, R. J., D.M. Jackman, and C.L. Collins. Assessing Changes in Quality of Life and Independent Living and Working Levels Among AgrAbility Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities. Disability and Health Journal. 11(2), 230-236. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.08.001. 2018.
  42. Fetsch, R. J. and P. Turk. A Quantitative Assessment of the Effectiveness of USDA’s AgrAbility Project. Disability and Health Journal. 11(2), 249-255. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.10.004.
  43. Miller, C.D. and R.A. Aherin. The Prevalence of Disabilities in the U.S. Farm Population. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 24(4), 243-260. 2018.
  44. Ehlers, S.G. and W.E. Field. Accessing and Operating Agricultural Machinery: Advancements in Assistive Technology for Users with Impaired Mobility. Journal of Assistive Technology. Vol. 31(5). Arlington, VA. 2019.
  45. Fetsch, R. J., C.L. Leathers, and G.A. Morgan. Why Do Some Farmers and Ranchers Overcome Limitations From Accidents and Illnesses and Others Do Not? AgrAbility Works for Most. Medical Research Archives. 8(2). February, 2020.
  46. Fetsch, R. J., R.E. Petrea, P.J. Jones, W.E. Field, and R.A. Aherin. A 25-year Overview of AgrAbility Demographics, Journal of Agromedicine. DOI. 10.1080/1059924X.2020.1837318. 2020, 24(4).
  47. Wilhite, C. S., Jaco, M. L., Chavez, C., Perez, C., Gomez, M., & Neugebauer, T. A. Agriculture for Life: A Guide for Health Promotion and Participation for Farmers with Health Challenges, Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 24(2),92-110, doi: 10.1080/15398285.2020.1750825. \
  48. Etienne, A.J., W.E. Field, and N.J. Haslett. A summary of Lone Agricultural Worker Injuries and Fatalities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 2023, 29(1).