Volume 16    No. 3

Over the years, Dennis experienced several falls. The first tore cartilage in his left knee. He compensated for this injury by putting more stress on his hip, causing that joint to begin to deteriorate. Then a second fall broke a piece of bone off of his hip. Arthritis and diabetes aggravated Dennis’s joint problems. Ken also experienced problems with his knees, eventually requiring knee replacements so he could continue working. Thanks to Dennis’s son and daughter helping with the day-to-day activities, they were able to complete the work, but with increasing difficulty.

Dennis learned about AgrAbility of Wisconsin (AAW) from a former AAW client who participated alongside Dennis on a milk testing board. Dennis thought about it, but didn’t contact AAW until after reading about the program in a farm paper six months later. Since Ken also had health problems, and Dennis thought the program was a good idea, he went along with it and signed up as well.

At the time, there was still a waiting list and the brothers waited about two years before the case was activated with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Once DVR activated their cases, Dennis and Ken took active roles in the services provided by AAW, Easter Seals FARM Program Rehabilitation specialist, Holly Allen, and DVR Counselor, Nancy Prokash.

The brothers situation began to improve after that. One obvious solution for their joint problems was to install additional steps on all the farm tractors. However, the IH 3588 that Dennis and Ken frequently used for day-to-day farm operations pivoted in the center and did not allow for steps to be added. So Allen suggested installing a platform lift and modifying the clutch and brake with hand controls. The modification costs were high, though, so the Mielkes, Prokash and Allen decided to explore the possibility of purchasing a used tractor to fit the brothers’ needs. Since the Mielkes knew what they needed and had the experience of purchasing used equipment, they played an intricate role in finding a tractor that would accommodate their needs. After several attempts, everything fell into place and the Mielkes found a 1988 IH 7120. Dennis explained that by researching the equipment and taking the time to search for a tractor, he was able to find something in good condition at a reasonable price.

Dennis found the tractor at a John Deere dealership, but they were not able to trade in the IH 3588. So Dennis and Ken worked out a plan with DVR that the brothers would sell the tractor and use the income from the sale to finish retrofitting the other tractors with the additional steps and cameras to aid in backing up.

Used equipment also helped with some of Ken’s concerns. He operated a tractor to haul gravel, seed bags and bales, and pick rocks from the fields manually. After researching Ken’s needs and the accommodations needed for the tractor, the Mielkes and Allen found that the accommodations would not be compatible with the tractor. Again, the brothers found a used skid steer with hand controls and a used rotating stone bucket attachment at the same dealership they found the tractor.

Thanks to Dennis’s willingness to do some extra searching, he was able to find used equipment in good condition and reasonably priced. "We talked a lot back and forth. Dennis would come up with an idea and run it past me. I would then explain it to Nancy," said Allen. She noted that there was never just one answer for anything; there were always a couple of different options.

Allen also suggested a utility vehicle for Dennis and Ken to easily move around the farm. After researching the vehicle types, Dennis decided on a Kubota. Allen explained that she learned much from Dennis. "He was so conscious of the equipment, based on usage, based on dollars and the overall approach. Dennis wanted to make sure the equipment was the best thing for him and the farm."

Dennis and Ken plan to continue farming with Dennis’s son for another 10 to 15 years and may start custom raising heifers again. Thanks to the assistive technology Dennis and Ken received, not only will the Mielkes continue to successfully farm, but so will other farmers that depend on the Mielke brothers for custom work. Dennis explained that when he received the IH 7120, a farmer they have been chopping and bagging for since 1992 asked about the tractor and the program. Dennis told him that this tractor was keeping Dennis and Ken going and the farmer told Dennis that not only was it keeping him (Dennis) going, but also it was keeping his own farm going. Dennis said, "It (AAW) not only benefited us, it’s benefiting other farmers too."

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