Bobby - Prospect

Bobby English is a polytrauma war veteran living with a traumatic brain injury that affects his balance, coordination, and focus. Farming has become an important part of his healing journey, but it also presents daily physical and cognitive challenges.

After attending the AgrAbility National Conference, Bobby shared, “This is one of the happiest times of my life. They see me shaking and they just accept me. It’s encouraging, it’s healing, and it gives me the power to keep pushing.” His experience reflects the power of community and understanding within AgrAbility’s network.

AgrAbility Virginia has supported Bobby by introducing adaptive harvesting techniques that help him stay focused and conserve energy. He has also learned safer methods for getting up and down while harvesting, reducing his risk of injury. In addition, assistive technologies have been implemented to make daily farm tasks more manageable and sustainable.

Through AgrAbility Virginia, Bobby receives comprehensive support that blends:

• Agricultural expertise from our land-grant universities, including Virginia Tech and Virginia State University

• Disability and community outreach resources from Easterseals PORT Health

• The strength of a statewide network of partners dedicated to farmer success

Together, this partnership empowers Bobby to continue farming safely, confidently, and with renewed purpose.