Golf Fore FARM Golf Outing

This annual outing supports the Easterseals Wisconsin FARM Program.

Each year, the program helps approximately 500 Wisconsin farmers remain in or return to farming after a disabling accident, illness, or medical condition. This outing continues to celebrate a longstanding board member, volunteer and advocate of the program, Skip Ellenbecker.

Created in 1992, Easterseals Wisconsin’s nationally-honored FARM Program helps farmers continue to farm or return to farming after a disabling accident, illness or chronic condition. Rural Rehabilitation Specialists visit the farm and, together with the farmer and family, look over the entire operation, evaluating buildings, terrain and equipment while making note of each task that needs to be performed. The Specialist then creates an individualized plan recommending modifications to equipment and the worksite as well as suggestions for equipment that will enable the farmer to do his/her job. Since its inception, the FARM Program, with a better than 97% success rate, has helped over 7,000 farmers with disabilities continue to farm, achieving independence and the ability to support themselves and preserve the family farm operation. The FARM Program also offers Ag Career Exploration classes around the state to help students with disabilities explore career options in agriculture in their communities. In addition, a federal grant makes it possible for FARM to provide statewide outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers.

We are honored to have our guest speaker join us at the start of the outing, Tim Schultz. Tim and his wife, Merry own and operate a farm near Wisconsin Dells, WI. Tim operates the farm as a cropping operation on approximately 300 acres and completes custom spraying and harvesting for area farmers near his farm over 5,000 acres. Due to significant complications and infection that initially began as a standard knee replacement procedure, Tim had his right leg amputated above the knee in 2022.

Tim enrolled with the Easterseals FARM program so that he could continue to farm with less difficulty. Prior to the point, he was using a prosthetic and crutch to move around the farm and attempting to climb on and off equipment which was extremely problematic for him to do. Through on-site farm assessment visits with Tim, the farm program at Easterseals was able to identify solutions to help Tim to include items such as an easy step ladder design for his combine and sidewall and roof steps to allow him to use the grain bins. Through the Easterseals partnership with the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation program, the items were provided to him. Tim is grateful for the assistance and acknowledged that he would have had to quit if not for the FARM program.

Make sure to make time to hear Tim talk on Friday around 10am!

Golf Fore FARM Annual Golf Outing

By Easterseals Wisconsin

Golf Fore FARM Annual Golf Outing

Join us Friday, August 9!!