| Farmer: | Jerry Rice
Sparta, TN White County |
| Type farming operation: | Beef cow-calf operation.
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| Nature of disability: | Jerry had tumors in his neck in the earl 1980s and has undergone 27
operations on his neck and throat. He also had a stroke during this
time and, as a result has limited use of his left arm and weakness on the
left side.
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| Challenges to meet: | Jerry Rice lives on a small section of the farm where he was raised
in White County, and he is doing whatever it takes to remain independent
and productive, so he stays busy with his small beef herd and a variety
of other farm chores. Jerry's biggest needs were assistance in building
a shed to store his equipment and protect it from the weather and he also
needed information on pasture renovation and raising beef cattle.
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| Solutions: | The Tennessee AgrAbility Project and the White
County Extension Service helped Jerry by coordinating several projects
with other agencies and organizations, including the three below:
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| Cost of modifications: | NA
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| Benefits: | The pond serves as a source of water for the livestock and also helps
control runoff from the surrounding area. In addition, the pasture
renovation and hay storage information has helped Jerry provide a higher
quality forage for his livestock.
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| Feedback: | Jerry is thrilled with the things that have been happening on his farm.
"I have always wanted to be a farmer," Jerry says, "and thanks to AgrAbility
and the help of the community, I am going to get my chance."
Jerry believes you have to put back into the system what you get out
of it. Jerry has been working with other people with disabilities
in the area. He helps them try to locate the things they need to
complete their projects. For example, one man he knows uses baling
twine in repairing seats of chairs. Jerry finds the discarded baling
twine from neighbors and passes it on to his friend. Jerry is also
working with another older man to help him build a little front porch he
can sit on at his house.
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| Cooperators: |
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