FARM Program Staff
Knowledgeable, caring, and almost all with life-long personal experience in farming, our staff can help make a lasting difference in the lives of farmers and others with disabilities seeking independence in farming and self-employment.
Jeff Kratochwill, ATP, Director, FARM Program
Email Jeff, 608.279.9436
As Director of the FARM Program, Jeff hires, trains, and supervises the Technical and Program Assistants, Rural Rehabilitation and SES Specialists, and HelpLine Coordinator. He oversees outreach activities, on-site assessments, and business plans for FARM and SES, and serves as liaison to the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and AgrAbility of Wisconsin. Jeff offers training, presentations, and mentoring on vocational rehabilitation for farmers to FARM staff, state agencies, and AgrAbility groups nationwide. He is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and serves as liaison to Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) field supervisors and to Client Assistance Program (CAP), to resolve DVR service issues with clients. Jeff, who was raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm, joined the Easterseals Wisconsin staff in 2007.
Ami Cooper, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist
Email Ami, 608.225.1867
Ami joined the Easterseals Wisconsin staff in 2014. She works with farmers with disabilities and their families by providing services that help them continue farming and maintain independence. She conducts on-site work assessments, determines work site modifications and adaptive equipment needs, develops a plan to implement recommendations, and coordinates funding and support services. Ami is the instructor of Exploring Job Options in Rural Wisconsin, a program developed for high school students with disabilities who want to learn more about opportunities available in the agricultural industry. Ami grew up on her family’s dairy farm where she continues to work with the herd.
T Ellenbecker, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist
Email T, 715.842.3411
T brings to the FARM Program 26 years of counseling and case management skills, knowledge of farming, and awareness of how disabilities might affect farmers. She works with farmers with disabilities and their families by providing services that help them continue farming and maintain independence. She provides case management for clients, identifies immediate needs, and provides information and referral to funding and support services. T joined Easterseals Wisconsin in 2000.
Paul Untiet, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist
Email Paul, 715.347.4093
During his 30 years at the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Paul was a knowledgeable advocate for farmers and he continues in this role since joining the FARM Program staff. He works with farmers with disabilities and their families by providing services that help them continue farming and maintain their independence. He provides case management for clients, identifies immediate needs, and provides information and referral to funding and support services. Paul, who grew up on a farm, started working for Easterseals Wisconsin in 2008.
Melba Brown, Administrative Program Assistant
Email Melba, 608.237.1446
Melba provides technical assistance to the FARM Program and Self-Employment Services programs. She edits FARM Program reports, is in charge of FARM billing and spreadsheets, keeps client files updated, and maintains the Ag Equipment Reutilization website. She also serves as client first contact by phone, is point of contact for AgrAbility, updates the client databases, and handles all mailings.
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
Amanda Harguth, AgrAbility Outreach Specialist
Email Amanda, 608-262-9336
Amanda Harguth has been serving as AgrAbility Outreach Specialist since August 2019. Amanda is excited to bring her experience in agriculture, marketing, sales and events, and passion to the program. She is a 2010 graduate from UW-Platteville holding a degree in Communication Technologies with an emphasis in public relations.
