National AgrAbility Project Helps Disabled Farmers Maintain Productivity

The organization provides customized equipment modifications and support to allow farmers with disabilities to continue working.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The National AgrAbility Project, started by Purdue University in 1979, helps farmers with disabilities or physical challenges by making modifications to their farm equipment and buildings so they can keep working. The organization attends the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville to raise awareness about their services, which are especially important as the average age of farmers continues to rise.

Why it matters

Enabling disabled farmers to maintain their livelihoods and continue contributing to the agricultural industry is crucial, as the average age of farmers in the U.S. is around 57-58 years old. AgrAbility's work ensures that experienced farmers can keep working despite physical limitations, benefiting both the individuals and the broader agricultural community.

The details

AgrAbility provides customized solutions to help farmers with a wide range of disabilities, from visible conditions like spinal cord injuries to less apparent challenges. Their team works to modify farm equipment and buildings to accommodate each farmer's specific needs, allowing them to maintain their productivity. The organization attends the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville to raise awareness about their services and connect with farmers who could benefit.

  • AgrAbility was started by Dr. Bill Field at Purdue University in 1979.
  • AgrAbility has a booth at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, which takes place annually.

The players

National AgrAbility Project

An organization that helps farmers with disabilities or physical challenges by making modifications to their farm equipment and buildings so they can keep working. It was started by Purdue University in 1979.

Dr. Bill Field

The founder of the National AgrAbility Project, who started the organization at Purdue University in 1979.

Ed Sheldon

A Purdue Extension employee who works extensively on behalf of AgrAbility, helping to provide support and services to disabled farmers.

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What they’re saying

“That's what we're here to do. Whatever that individual's disability is—and we do work with a full range, whether it's very visible things like a spinal cord injury where somebody uses a wheelchair to do those things we can't see, but may have a huge impact on that individual's life and their ability to work and do what they want to do.”

— Ed Sheldon, Purdue Extension employee (1010wcsi.com)

“The average age of farmers in Indiana and across the country is about 57 or 58 years old, and that brings on those problems. We slow down. We don't move like we used to. But, farmers aren't very good at retiring either, so they want to keep going into their 70's, 80's—even beyond because we also work with folks in their 90's.”

— Ed Sheldon, Purdue Extension employee (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

AgrAbility will continue to have a presence at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, providing an opportunity for farmers and the public to learn about their services and support.

The takeaway

The National AgrAbility Project's mission to help disabled farmers maintain their livelihoods and productivity is crucial as the average age of farmers continues to rise. By providing customized equipment modifications and support, AgrAbility ensures experienced farmers can keep working despite physical limitations, benefiting both individuals and the broader agricultural industry.