Arthritis affects approximately one-third of all adult farm and ranch operators and is considered one of the leading causes of disability by customers of the USDA AgrAbility Project.  Arthritis can cause significant impairments to one’s mobility, dexterity, capacity to lift heavy loads and emotional well-being due to unmanaged pain and other factors.  With the average age of the American farmer climbing above 57, increasingly more farmers will find tasks difficult to complete.  Many agricultural workers do not know they may be at risk of developing arthritis.  The Arthritis and Agriculture site provides educational resources and support information to agricultural workers and their families.

AgrAbility hosted a free webinar on Gardening With Effective Arthritis Management, the  archive can be viewed at anytime free of charge on the National AgrAbility website.

Improper work practices while gardening may make it difficult for you to enjoy your favorite past time.  Before you head out to the garden consider your most important tool- YOU!  Stretching warms up your joints and muscles to make your gardening activity more enjoyable. 

You can also help prevent injury or undue stress while working in the garden by listening to your body. Respect pain, it’s a warning signal that something isn’t right.  Be mindful of your posture while working; poor posture can lead to fatigue and strains.  Avoid staying in one position too long by switching tasks routinely – bend, stretch and move around to avoid stiffness.  Likewise, repetitive motion activities can lead to injuries or strains. Mix it up while working – weed, hoe, enjoy!  Being safe also includes being aware of pinch points and cutting edges – wearing the appropriate protective gear while working, including sun protection.  Beware of carrying loads that are too heavy, use assistive tools such as wheel barrows, and proper lifting techniques. 

Ergonomically designed tools are becoming more popular and are widely available.  These tools are designed to keep the body in neutral positions to minimize stress on joints while maximizing power with less energy.  Ergonomic tools are generally made with large, soft handles to allow you to get a better grip on the tool while reducing vibration and slipping.  The tool should also have a depression or ridge on the top of the tool for your thumb to rest against.  This will assist in keeping your wrist in a neutral position as you work.  Spring loaded or power assist tools will make your job easier and faster while longer handles on tools will allow you to reduce back strain and increase leverage which requires less strength. 

Also consider the weight of the garden tool, most are designed for men, but some are designed especially for women.  Lightweight or telescoping tools can extend your reach and reduce strain on your back or awkward reaching positions.  Tools can be adapted at home with the addition of PVC piping to lengthen the tool, and additional handle or “D-grip” for a two-handed grip or adding foam insulation to pad the tool.  Adapting your tools or garden space to allow you to work upright will reduce back strain and muscle fatigue. 

If you are one of the many affected by arthritis, gardening can be an excellent therapy to help maintain flexibility, increased range of motion and increase your quality of life.  The Arthritis Foundation has excellent resources available.  Employing safe gardening work practices with a focus on basic ergonomics may help you continue to enjoy gardening the whole season long.

Maine AgrAbility is a non-profit collaboration of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, and Alpha One.  Maine AgrAbility is part of a nationwide network of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs begun through the 1990 Farm Bill.  The goal of the National AgrAbility Project is to inform, educate, and assist farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and their families with disabilities, so they can continue to have successful careers in agriculture.

This hands-on workshop provides participants with an overview of hundreds of assistive technology solutions that can be created in minutes using everyday tools and materials found around the farm or in rural communities. Participants will learn amazing uses for 42 different tools and materials for fabricating quick solutions in rural remote areas without the need for electricity.

Farming values the family working together to take care of the land, animals and farmstead. Farm families are frequently challenged with limited time and resources and are in need of an immediate fix to a challenging situation. When a farmer experiences a disability this sense of urgency is even more important. The assistive technology solutions and methods developing and providing these solutions benefit everyone in all life functions at home, school, work and play.

Dr. Therese Willkomm, PhD, ATP, is an amazing Assistive Technology magician who has invented over 600 different Assistive Technology solutions including 50 different iPad solutions for people with disabilities. Dr. Willkomm holds a PhD in rehabilitation science and technology and is the director of New Hampshire’s state wide Assistive Technology program.  She is also a clinical professor in the Department of occupational therapy at UNH and oversees the graduate certificate program in Assistive Technology. She also has over 25 years of experience assisting over 1,200 farmers with disabilities. Dr. Willkomm was the first project coordinator of Breaking New Ground in the Agricultural Engineering Department at Purdue University and has developed over 30 different resources on farming with a disability.

Maine AgrAbility is a non-profit collaboration of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, and Alpha One. Maine AgrAbility is part of a nationwide network of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs begun through the 1990 Farm Bill. The goal of the National AgrAbility Project is to inform, educate, and assist farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and their families with disabilities, so they can continue to have successful careers in agriculture.

Participants will learn how to handle tractors and equipment safely, how to identify hazards, and how to minimize the chances of accidents. The course is open to all adults and youth interested, but priority will be given to youth ages 14 to 16. This course is required for 14 and 15 year olds who plan to operate farm equipment for hire on farms other than their own. A Federal Certificate of Training will be issued at the completion of the course after successful completion of the written test and driving course and with attendance requirements met.

For more information or to register, select a location near you:

• Tractor Safety Course in Cumberland County (Gray, Maine)
• Tractor Safety Course in Kennebec County (Fairfield, Maine)
• Tractor Safety Course in Waldo County (Knox, Maine)

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)

Topics will include selecting and evaluating a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, record keeping, market research, and much more. The webinar is free. Course texts can be purchased from the UMaine Extension Publications Store.

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Monday evenings in April.  The participants will learn how to handle tractors and equipment safely, how to identify hazards and how to minimize the chances of accidents.