Maine AgrAbility

By Ellen S. Gibson Farms are wonderful places for kids to explore, to experience nature, to follow their curiosity, to learn about responsibility. Many farms are multi-generational. Often, farms invite visitors, for you-pick operations, Open Farm Day, or other events. How do ensure the farm is a safe place for kids to be? Universal Design […]

By Ellen S. Gibson At Maine AgrAbility, we support farmers, producers and harvesters who work on farms, in the woods, and on the ocean–people who are often self-employed, who work long hours outdoors, often by themselves, and are prone to injury because their work is hard on the body and mentally stressful. It takes specialized […]

By Ellen S. Gibson Logging is at the top of the list of dangerous occupations. The profession has become increasingly mechanized. Working for large landowners requires knowledge of how to operate and maintain heavy machinery and continual attention to safety protocols. Donald Burr is the Safety and Training Coordinator for the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) […]

By Ellen S. Gibson Logging is at the top of the list of dangerous occupations. Operations on large landholdings (50 acres and up) have become increasingly mechanized and the knowledge of how to operate and maintain heavy machinery is essential. Farmers tend to manage smaller woodlots to supply woodstoves and to provide an additional source […]

Maine AgrAbility is pleased to announce that Donald Burr, Safety and Training Coordinator for the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine, is joining our Advisory Council. Production agriculture in Maine includes working in the woods, in the fields, and on the ocean. Logging, farming, and fishing are all at the top of the list of […]

Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls I recently spoke with Donald Burr, Safety and Training Coordinator for the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine, about the hazards of slips, trips and falls when you’re out in the forest. The guidelines Burr shared with me all translate into being safe wherever you are and whatever you do. […]

The mission of Maine AgrAbility is to serve farmers, members of their families, and hired workers on the farm who are disabled in some way. Correspondingly, we often work with caregivers. Within the family constellation, there is usually a primary caregiver, the person who provides the lifeline that enables the family member with the disability […]

As 2020 fades into the past. . . Imagine that your doctor has given you a prescription for bringing in the New Year: “Play more.”  Hmmm. Here’s how I’d put this advice to the test: Unstructured time: no technology, no screen. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, it’s really possible. Time in the great outdoors. Not […]

Meet  Bill and Carol Hayes of Dilly Dally Farm. I interviewed them in March. Bill Hayes and his wife, Carol, own Dilly Dally Farm in Plymouth, Maine and use organic practices to maintain five year-round production greenhouses. In addition, they plant four-and-a-half acres of mixed vegetables and raise broilers and turkeys for market. Bill had […]