By Tom Gillis ATP, Alpha One & Maine AgrAbility Whether farming is your livelihood or you’re a weekend gardener, the simple fixes listed below can help reduce the stress and wear your body endures while farming to make your work more productive and efficient. Standing at a work bench for an extended period fixing that […]
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Farmers have the seventh most-dangerous job in America. Annually, there are 26.2 work-related fatalities per 100,000 full-time farmers, according to Business Insider. Of the 268 farm deaths in 2011, 54 percent were transportation related. With harvest season underway, many Maine farmers and farm workers are operating farm tractors in fields and on roads. To promote […]
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With the increased awareness of local foods and health benefits, home gardening has been become a popular activity. In turn, the number of gardening-related injuries has increased. These injuries can be attributed to increased strenuous activities over the weekend — the endearing term “weekend warrior” comes to mind. Improper work practices while gardening may make […]
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Audible Cues Around the Farm Placing doorbells and wind chimes on the farm may help someone with low vision orient themselves. (Tip courtesy of Oklahoma AgrAbility)
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Farming doesn’t stop in the winter: animals still need to be fed, chores completed, fences repaired. Here are some reminders for farmers who are working out in the cold, adapted from a winter hiking tip sheet. 1. Dress like an onion. You know it — dress in layers. Wait 10 minutes and the weather is […]
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By Ellen S. Gibson, Maine AgrAbility I have arthritis in my hands, which I discovered soon after I started to milk goats. The repetitive motion of milking twice a day causes my joints to swell and that makes my hands painful. A strong handshake is agonizing. When the milk is heaviest after the goats kid, […]
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At the 2012 Maine Farm Days in Clinton, the Maine AgrAbility staff asked visitors to take a short survey about their boots and backs. Almost half of the full time farmers reported experiencing constant or weekly pain. Occasional pain was experienced by over 50% of all the respondents. The largest contributor to pain was heavy […]
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You’ve probably seen athletes stretching before a game. They do that to avoid injuries. Farmers and gardeners can injure themselves if their body is not quite ready for physical work. Here is a handy fact sheet from Arkansas AgrAbility (PDF) that shows stretching techniques for before, during and after the work day to avoid strains and […]
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Mediation Services for the Agricultural Community “Our trained mediators can facilitate disputes involving adverse USDA decisions, farm loans, environmental or forestry issues, insurance or disaster relief, contracts with food processors, neighbors, labor issues, wetland determinations, and more.” (www.voanne.org)
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“Beware Silo Gas and Avoid Silo Filler’s Disease” — Article courtesy of Vermont Farm Safe.
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