Modify your practices, not your dreams …

Our cold and snowy winter may have delayed many Alaskans’ preparations for starting vegetables and flowers or beginning other spring activities, like tapping birch. But, our food producers, farmers, beekeepers, butchers, ranchers, fishers and mariculturists are always planning for the next season of work. Farming and fishing are Alaska traditions that appeal to many modern-day Alaska pioneers; we challenge ourselves to be as self-sufficient as we can. 

So, we temporarily push aside the memory of last year’s achy knees, shoulders or sore backs, and our doctor’s recommendations. But, at some point, we may start questioning our career choices and the goal of making a living in a physically difficult and sometimes dangerous career.

Disability statistics are hard to gather since many in these professions are self-employed; however, USDA research has estimated that an average of about 19 percent of U.S. farmers (395,000 people) and 9 percent of farmworkers (134,000 people) had a disability at some point between 2008 and 2016. It is not known exactly how many in Alaska have any type of disability, although the current estimate is between 13 percent and 15 percent, perhaps reflecting our younger population.

A local study of fishermen attempted to quantify health and disability indicators and showed that 80 percent of the study population had hearing loss (compared to the 15 percent norm for Americans) and 40 percent had rotator cuff problems (compared to the norm of 8-14 percent).

For the aging population of farmers and fishermen, arthritis is probably the most common disability, causing pain and limitations in mobility, strength and joint function. 

In my conversations with community members, arthritis, knee problems and traumatic brain injury, as well as chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease or diabetes and stroke complications, come up often.

Alaska is lucky enough to receive funding for a national USDA program called AgrAbility. The program is designed to help farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers and fishermen remain productive in their chosen occupations. The stated vision of AgrAbility is “to enhance the quality of life for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers with disabilities” (USDA definitions of agriculture include farming, ranching, fishing, mariculture, specialty crops and even forestry).

Whether you sell at a farmer’s market, through a CSA, your own storefront or a major grocery chain and you have a disabling condition, you may be eligible for AgrAbility support.

Enrolling in the program is as simple as letting your Cooperative Extension Service know that you would like an assessment. An AgrAbility staff member, an assistive technology technician or an occupational or physical therapist will visit your farm, boat or other work site and identify work modifications and assistive technology to help make the work easier and safer.

Before you give up your career feeding Alaskans with fish, milk, beef, honey, carrots, cabbages, potatoes, eggs, berries or any other products, find out whether AgrAbility can help you modify your practices and not your pioneering spirit.

If you, a family member or a friend can benefit from AgrAbility services, please reach out to Leslie Shallcross at 907-474-2426 or lashallcross@alaska.edu.

Leslie Shallcross is a registered dietitian and the Tanana District health, home and family development agent for Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She can be reached at 907-474-2426 or lashallcross@alaska.edu.