Toni Small of Ice House Oysters has been an aquaculture farmer with her husband John Cotton for five years. They currently farm diploid oysters in Port Clyde, Maine. John (62) has a traditional background in fishing, including tuna and other pelagic game fish, lobster, and groundfish. Toni (53) has a background in dance and became […]
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As published on Page 28 in the SEPTEMBER 2023 issue of Commercial Fisheries News Few jobs are as physically punishing as commercial fishing. The average day’s work would challenge any CrossFit program, with the added strain of being done in positions and conditions markedly less ideal than in the gym. The risk for musculoskeletal injuries, […]
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As published on Page 28 in the JUNE 2023 issue of Commercial Fisheries News By James Wall, Occupational Therapy Student University of Southern Maine From the moment you wrap your fingers around that first cup of coffee in the morning through hauling traps, handling line, and operating boats, your hands play a critical role […]
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As written in the January 2023 edition (Pg 28) of Commercial Fisheries News Each New Year, 30-50% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. The practice helps us frame a vision of where we want to be in the future and invites sober self-assessment. Weight loss tops the popularity list, but fitness goals in general are […]
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No matter what your age or ability, make sure your tools are right for the project and they fit your size and strength. Tools will really make the work easier, especially if they’re designed with ergonomics in mind. An ergonomic tool is one that assists with the work you need to do and at […]
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By Ketra Crosson, Occupational Therapist, Independent Living Specialist Trying to take some of the advice that I give others in Maine AgrAbility, in recent years I have started earlier in the season, working in the garden for shorter sessions, avoiding the ‘marathon’ planting and work periods. I have also been mindful of gathering my tools, […]
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By Ketra Crosson, Occupational Therapist, Independent Living Specialist Since I have been experiencing increased joint issues in my hips, knees, and ankles, I have developed a love/hate relationship with gardening. I find that I have about a 1-hour tolerance before my body starts to say, “Enough!”. My activities include repetitive standing-up and kneeling-down; walking on […]
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I have had a garden every season since I moved to my home in 1991. Having a busy job as an OT, and later adopting my daughter as a single parent. Like most things, some years are good for certain plants, and not so good for other plants. It seems like my gardening method […]
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My name is Ketra Crosson. I am an Independent Living Specialist with Alpha One. Alpha One is the non-profit disability-related partner with Maine AgrAbility. I am also an occupational therapist by training. With Maine AgrAbility, I provide on-farm/worksite assessments. I also provide technical assistance via my experience as an Independent Living Specialist/Occupational Therapist. Working from […]
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By Ellen S. Gibson Your body is your best tool. Take care of it. The body is a marvel. Unfortunately, we tend to take it for granted when it’s working well. It’s when it doesn’t work so well—when we are in pain and cannot function as we did in the past—that we stop and take […]
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