Purdue's AgrAbility Project Helps Disabled Farmers Maintain Productivity

The National AgrAbility Project provides customized equipment modifications to enable farmers with disabilities to keep working their land.

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 continue working. The organization has a booth at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, where they connect with farmers and their families to raise awareness about their services.

Why it matters

With the average age of farmers in the U.S. around 57-58 years old, many are facing age-related physical challenges that can make it difficult to continue working. AgrAbility's mission is to ensure disabled and aging farmers can maintain their livelihoods and productivity on the farm.

The details

AgrAbility works with farmers facing a wide range of disabilities, from visible conditions like spinal cord injuries to less apparent issues that still impact their ability to work. The organization's team visits farms to assess needs and then custom-designs equipment modifications to help farmers keep operating their machinery and maintain productivity. They also provide education and support to help older farmers continue farming into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s.

  • AgrAbility was founded by Dr. Bill Field at Purdue University in 1979.
  • The National AgrAbility Project has a booth at the annual National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

The players

National AgrAbility Project

An organization founded by Purdue University in 1979 that helps farmers with disabilities or physical challenges by making customized modifications to their farm equipment and buildings.

Dr. Bill Field

The founder of the National AgrAbility Project at Purdue University in 1979.

Ed Sheldon

A Purdue Extension employee who works extensively on behalf of the National AgrAbility Project.

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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 (Hoosier Ag Today)

“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 (Hoosier Ag Today)

What’s next

The National AgrAbility Project will continue providing customized equipment modifications and support services to help disabled and aging farmers maintain their livelihoods and productivity.

The takeaway

The National AgrAbility Project's mission to assist farmers with disabilities or physical challenges is vital in an industry where the average farmer is nearing retirement age. By enabling these farmers to continue working, AgrAbility helps preserve the agricultural workforce and family farms across America.