Grants to USA and territories cooperative extensions at qualifying colleges and universities for programs to improve agricultural production by farmworkers, farmers, and farm family members with disabilities. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support projects that deliver education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing activities.

Applications may be submitted only by Cooperative Extension at 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities including University of the District of Columbia, and 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, including the Central State University, Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University.

Grants may be used to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that:

1. Provide direct education and assistance to accommodate individuals with disabilities engaged in farming and farm-related occupations
2. Provide on-the-farm technical advice concerning the design, fabrication, and use of agricultural and related equipment, machinery, and tools, and assist in the modification of farm worksites, operations, and living arrangements to accommodate individuals with disabilities engaged in farming, farm living and farm-related tasks
3. Involve community and health care professionals, including Extension Service agents, in the early identification of farm and rural families that need services related to the disability of an individual
4. Provide specialized education programs to enhance the professional competencies of rural agricultural professionals, rehabilitation and health care providers, vocational counselors, and other providers of service to individuals with disabilities and their families engaged in farming or farm-related occupations
5. Mobilize volunteer resources and networks, including peer counseling among farmers with disabilities, to accommodate individuals with disabilities with their farming and farm-related activities.

The AgrAbility program supports rural communities in the United States by:

1. Supporting cooperative programs between State Cooperative Extension Service agencies and private nonprofit disability organizations to provide on-the-farm agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations
2. Enabling national private nonprofit disability organizations to provide technical assistance, training, information dissemination and other activities to support community-based direct service programs of on-site rural rehabilitation and assistive technology for individuals (including veterans) with disabilities, and their families, who are engaged in farming or farm-related occupations or, in the case of veterans with disabilities, who are pursuing new farming opportunities. 

The AgrAbility program is aligned with the following FY2022–FY2026 USDA Strategic Goals:

1. Strategic Goal 2: Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous
2. Strategic Goal 3: Foster an Equitable and Competitive Marketplace for All Agricultural Producers
3. Strategic Goal 5: Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities

NIFA is soliciting applications under the following AgrAbility program areas:

• State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs)

Addressing the specialized needs of AgrAbility customers, the program builds service capacity on national, regional, state, and local levels through education and networking. The program provides direct assistance to individuals with disabilities who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. The form of assistance for the AgrAbility customer is dependent on the immediate needs that may be inadequately addressed by health, farm, and government service providers. AgrAbility projects use marketing activities to direct the public to initiatives in AgrAbility-related education, networking, and assistance.

The AgrAbility program funds projects that deliver education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing activities. For more information, see https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/FY23-AgrAbility-RFA-508_0.pdf#page=7