Partnerships That Make a Difference

Ronald C. Jester, P.E.

University of Delaware

Delaware-Maryland

AgrAbility Project (DMAP)

Presentation Outline DMAP overview Types of partners Strategies for successful partnerships Challenges of partnerships Future plans Conclusions

Delaware-Maryland Agrability Project (DMAP)

Agriculture is a leading industry - 15,000 farms, 10,000 watermen, 2,000 loggers, and 2600 poultry growers

Agriculture is the most hazardous industry in the U.S.

15.6% of the farm population have one or more disabilities

Establishing the Needs Arthritis – 40% Back injuries – 28% Hearing impairment – 28% Diabetes – 16% Visual impairment – 14% Orthopedic – 12% Respiratory – 8%

Goals Educate farmers,

families and farm workers

Network with organ-izations and individuals who can help

Direct assistance

Methodology Form partnerships with

organizations that will support the objectives of DMAP

Definition: Partnership The state of being a partner

or a legal relation existing between two or more persons contractually associated as joint principals in a business

A public agreement among a group of people to work together for a common interest.

DMAP Partnerships (Primary) University of Delaware University of Maryland Easter Seals Centers for Independent Living Delaware State University University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Delaware Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS)

DMAP Partnerships (Associate) Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Maryland Arthritis Foundation Mental Health Association Delmarva Migrant Education Association 4-H FFA Maryland Small Farm Institute ASHA – Maryland Chapter Delaware/Maryland Physical Therapy Association Delaware and Maryland TAP Delaware/Maryland Farm Bureau Other health and service provider organizations, farm organizations,

agricultural industries, and others

Advantages of Partnerships Enable organizations to cope with challenges

of diminishing budgets Address limited resources such as staff,

expertise, facilities, etc. Provide an edge to reach mutual goals Higher performance other

Results of Viable Partnerships Increase capacity Do more with less Added expertise Create sustainability Mutually beneficial Other

Strategies for Successful Partnerships Involve all players Have visionary leaders Shared vision Promote trust and

collaboration Build ownership at all

levels Establish a communication

and decision-making process

Strategies (cont) Build community

support Provide for fund

development Build evaluation into

the partnership Nourish the partnership Other

Challenges of Partnerships They are time consuming They are dynamic and may not follow a

predictable path Members must be flexible and willing to

compromise They are as strong as individuals

Conclusions Viable partnerships are

the key to a successful projects

Mentors with a track record enhance the credibility of the effort

Sustainability will occur as commodity groups take leadership roles in the alliance

Future Plans Continue to nurture existing partnership Explore national as well as local partners who

can help us better reach goals Continue to evaluate the dynamics of the

partnership and improve performance Other

Questions and Answers