Maine AgrAbility Project

08/10/2026

If you work in Maine agriculture, fishing, or forestry, you know the challenges of this work better than anyone else. Long hours, physical demands, unpredictable weather, financial pressures, and the expectation to simply "push through" can take a toll.

The Working Group to Prioritize Wellness and Mental Health Resources for Heritage Industries was created by the Maine Legislature to listen to the people who do this work every day and make recommendations based on what they need, not what others assume they need.

That's why your participation in this survey matters.

Please complete the survey to help the working group better understand the mental health and wellness challenges facing heritage industry workers.

✅ Takes less than 10 minutes
✅ Anonymous
✅ Current and former workers, and family members completing it on behalf of someone else, are welcome
✅ Is available through August 31, 2026

Please complete the survey and then share this post with others who should, too. The more voices represented, the better we can understand the realities facing Maine's heritage industries.

Your voice matters: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/izVW7aqDd5



Photos: Gulf of Maine Research Institute; Hope Orchards; DACF; Real Maine; Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets. Thank You.

08/06/2026

Tractor Safety: Foundations Course | Free | https://discover.maine.edu/product?catalog=Tractor_Safety_Foundations

A safer start on the farm begins with proper training. University of Maine Cooperative Extension has launched Tractor Safety: Foundations, a new self-paced online course designed for beginning operators, youth, and anyone looking to refresh essential safety skills.

What the course covers:
-Pre-operation inspections & maintenance checks
-Rollover hazard prevention & control
-Practical hazard recognition using interactive 360° virtual simulations

For a short time, enrollment is completely free (normally $75).
Register today and earn your digital badge: https://discover.maine.edu/product?catalog=Tractor_Safety_Foundations

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit
extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.

07/31/2026

Adaptive tools and assistive technology in the garden can make it possible to keep going with minimized discomfort and pain. The ergonomic hand tool grips are one great resource to address wrist and forearm pain in gardening and keep working comfortably.

12/19/2025

December

Send a message to learn more

09/30/2025

ME AgrAbility was glad to present yesterday at Fryeburg Fair about tools and technology on the farm! If you missed us then, we will be back this coming Sunday in the Agricultural Discovery Center!

Bella Russo, from U Maine Cooperative Extension will be presenting at 1:00 on AgrAbility in the new Agicultural Discovery Center. She will offer information to help farmers, loggers, fishermen and others on modifications to working with chronic pain or illness.

09/16/2025

AgrAbility webinar September 17, 3:00 p.m. EDT: “Boots to Business Overview”
This session will provide a one-hour overview of the day-long Boots to Business programs that assists veterans in understanding the steps, stages, and activities related to launching and growing a business as a post-military career. It will also help participants understand how business ownership might align (or not) with their own personal strength and life goals. Register at https://www.agrability.org/ntw-encore/

08/08/2025

The International Society of Ag Safety and Health conference was held in Portland this past June! ME AgrAbility provided the pre-conference training day, including a presentation, panel, and assistive technology demonstration with our service provider partners and . It was a great day of learning for all that participated!

08/07/2025

ME AgrAbility was glad to be a presenter during this year’s Armed to Farm workshop, hosted by and . This training provides education for veterans about sustainable agriculture. Attendees learned about production techniques, ergonomic tools, made connections,and were able to learn about how AgrAbility can support their future ag endeavors! Thank you to and for sharing your farms with us!

08/06/2025

ME FishAbility has had the opportunity to document the story of one of our fishing clients, John. John began working with FishAbility in 2024 with a cursory goal of building a new boat that was better ergonomically fit to his changing needs. FishAbility has helped John with his current work-related changes and has been involved in supporting and documenting his shift to solo fishing in his new boat. We are proud to work with John and to share his story in a documentary film later this year!

08/05/2025

Publishing articles in professional trade journals like the Logger's Voice and Commercial Fisheries News are one of the ways that Maine's AgrAbility program connects to prospective clients. Our client group is diverse in Maine- including loggers, forest professionals, fishermen, aquaculture farmers, specialty crop producers and more! The articles written by our staff members are great sources of information on health and safety considerations in the fishing, farming, or logging world, and are accessible on the Maine AgrAbility website! https://extension.umaine.edu/agrability/2025/01/08/warrior-101/