Partnerships That Make a
Difference
Ronald C. Jester, P.E.
University of Delaware
Delaware-Maryland
AgrAbility Project (DMAP)
Presentation Outline
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DMAP overview
Types of partners
Strategies for successful partnerships
Challenges of partnerships
Future plans
Conclusions
Delaware-Maryland
Agrability Project (DMAP)
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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
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Arthritis – 40%
Back injuries – 28%
Hearing impairment – 28%
Diabetes – 16%
Visual impairment – 14%
Orthopedic – 12%
Respiratory – 8%
Goals
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Educate farmers,
families and farm
workers
Network with organizations and individuals
who can help
Direct assistance
Methodology
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Form partnerships with
organizations that will
support the objectives
of DMAP
Definition: Partnership
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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Increase capacity
Do more with less
Added expertise
Create sustainability
Mutually beneficial
Other
Strategies for Successful Partnerships
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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)
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Build community
support
Provide for fund
development
Build evaluation into
the partnership
Nourish the partnership
Other
Challenges of Partnerships
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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
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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
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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