Other Tools to Do What You Love Longer". This discussion was led by Ann Adams and Liz Brensinger, who co-own and run Green Heron Tools.
I was interested in this class from the moment I read the title in the conference schedule. I thought, Yup, I plan on farming for the long haul and I want my body to be on board too with a good attitude...no aches and pains and whiney joints! I really enjoyed this class; I absolutely love it when someone recognizes a problem and works with a purpose to solve it using research and ingenuity, and then introduces the solution to the public in order to help others. Not all talk or complaining, action and resolution, so cool.
First of all, both Ann and Liz are very calm and very relaxed presenters; they relayed their backround and introduced the concept of their company clearly, with ease and with humour. There was plenty of playful banter and laughter.
Liz and Ann had worked a market farm together for years growing beautiful produce. After a time, they realized that the tools that they were using, for example the shovel, were not well suited for smaller bodies especially women's bodies. They spoke of various farm tools and due the to the size and structure of that tool, how a smaller person was almost forced to use that tool incorrectly, or to lift in a way that would most certainly cause strains and damage to the body over time (if not immedietely!)
They segwayed here into the principles of good body mechanics; i.e how to use muscles correctly to compete a task in a safe and efficient manner. We began by discussing the difference in body structure and center of gravity between men and women and then finding your center in order to maintain good posture and stability, especially when lifting and reaching. We then moved into the proper techniques and body positions for activities we do everyday on the farm...reaching, lifting, shoveling, bending and laughed about how none of us do any of those activities properly and usually because we are in a rush to get everything done:) All of this information led up to the formation of Green Heron Tools and what Ann and Liz have devoted the past several years to accomplishing.
Liz and Ann realized that most farming tools that are manufactured today are built for a person whose stature on average is larger than the average woman, with the exception of some tools that are built in Japan as the average person is smaller in stature. And again, I liked the tone of this lecture, there wasn't any argument about manufacturers catering to men or that women aren't being recognized in the field of farming. The issue, which falls in line with our overall health as a society, is that things started to fall apart when we got into mass production (tools, food) catering to the masses and lost sight of the value of the small producer and needs of the individual. Back in the day, you would have your tools forged and custom made for you and your body size. It is impossible to manufacture a tool that is ergonomically structured for the average body size of both men and women. Upon realizing this specific problem and with the rise of women in farming, they decided to conduct research on how to engineer a tool that would be ergonomically sound for women, of all sizes:) They started with a shovel.
With the help of a grad student and a willing volunteer, they filmed hours of their friend shoveling and studyed how she used her body to accomplish this task. They analyzed their research and with a team of experts and engineers, they came up with some very clever solutions and highly functional products.
(side note: they mentioned that the use of the word "ergonomic" in the tool world is as overused/misused as the terms "organic" and "sustainable" in the farming world. A lot of people are dropping those terms irresponsibly, so shop carefully!)
Green Heron Tools now produces and markets a shovel that has a shorter shaft, a wide mouth handle for when you need both hands on the end for leverage, and the option to have a handle mid-shaft for easier lifting and maneuvering and also so that you can keep your wrists in a neutral position, which they mentioned many times. Not only that, but they sell the shaft handles separately, so that you can modify some of the tools you have at home. Eventually, they hope to work on introducing a walk behind tiller that is better designed for women...that is something I personally look forward to!!
A nice end to our discussion was a floor stretch for our lower backs and this note...they had formed their business and had named it Green Heron, and then realized that Green Herons are one of the few birds, like crows, who actually will work with tools to get what they need. How cool.
I am very proud to have met these ladies and look forward to keeping up with them in the future!
No comments:
Post a Comment