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Listen & Watch On
About This Episode
Jake and Sabreana sit down with Emily Jacobson to learn more about helping producers after an illness or injury. Growing up on a family farm, she decided to go into occupational therapy after seeing her great-grandfather attempt to continue farm work after a stroke. As the program manager for Nebraska AgrAbility, she now helps farmers and ranchers with disabilities continue working safely and productively in agriculture. With her background in agriculture, she can provide a unique perspective and apply the AgrAbility program and partnership support to help them to stay on the farm.
Topics Covered
Assistive technology, occupational therapy
Key Takeaways
AgrAbility is a grant-funded program found in 21 states. The Nebraska program involves Easter Seals Nebraska and Nebraska Extension.
AgrAbility serves farmers and ranchers whose injury, illness or disability affects their ability to perform tasks. The program conducts on-site assessments and recommends assistive technology and modifications, considering the needs of family members and other workers as well as the client.
About the Guest
Emily Jacobson is from rural northeast Nebraska, where she grew up immersed in agriculture, helping on her family's farm and ranch. After earning her master's degree in occupational therapy from the College of Saint Mary, she now serves as the program manager and lead rural rehabilitation specialist for the Nebraska AgrAbility team. With her unique background in both rehabilitation and agriculture, Emily is able to provide thorough farm and ranch assessments and identify how assistive technology can help farmers and ranchers overcome challenges. She is passionate about exploring new technologies that can improve her clients' independence and quality of life. Today, she and her husband manage their own farming operation and enjoy spending time with their family.
About the Hosts
Agriculture has been part of Jake’s life from the beginning. Growing up on a Midwest farm, he never realized those early experiences were preparing him for a career in the industry. With more than 20 years of experience in irrigation technology, Jake has worked his way from robotic programming to his current role as technical sales manager, helping growers around the world optimize their irrigation systems. A self-described lifelong learner, Jake is always curious about how things work and what’s possible. Away from work, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
Sabreana didn’t grow up in agriculture, but that’s where she went after earning her manufacturing engineering degree. For the past 26 years, she’s had the opportunity to hold different positions within Reinke, now serving as a sales and marketing support specialist. Having developed a deep respect for the ag industry, Sabreana now has the opportunity to expand on that by tapping into people’s stories and challenges through the podcast.
