The RAM Scholars pilot initiative began this spring at CSU’s Agricultural, Research, Development and Education Center, or ARDEC, and with classes at CSU. That was followed by a summer internship program at ARDEC and classes this fall. The goal is to match adults with disabilities to jobs in agriculture, an industry that needs employees.
“It’s great to be free to help animals,” said Pounds, fresh off learning about the curved cattle corral and chute system at ARDEC. “It makes me feel better to calm down and tell myself to be independent.”
Pounds speaks two languages (English and her mother Ingrid Grotheer’s native German), walks to CSU’s main campus from home, rides horses, dances, plays musical instruments and has traveled to visit family in Germany and to Italy with former classmates and teachers from the Poudre School District.
“Where a lot of people would maybe be OK with menial work or simple things, she gets bored with that,” said Grotheer, who stressed she cannot fully express how much RAM Scholars means. “This program has been really good because it is challenging her mentally, and she’s really enjoying it.”