Small farm machinery and your body: Use both wisely
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[April 26, 2013]
URBANA -- Safely matching the right tool to the
right job is necessary in developing a sustainable small farm that
is productive and profitable. The Central Illinois Sustainable
Farming Network, which promotes the development of local food
systems in central Illinois through farmer support and training, is
presenting a field day on May 11 at the Spence Farm Foundation on
"Small Farm Machinery and Your Body -- Using Both Wisely." The
program will run from 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Topics covered in the sessions will include: choosing the right
implements for the job, maintaining those tools, demonstrations
of the machinery in action, and several different methods for
avoiding injury while using large- and small-scale equipment.
Maintaining farm machinery for optimal performance will also be
addressed.
All sessions will focus on using equipment safely and using
the most valuable tool you have, your body, carefully to prevent
injury and strain. The different methods that large- and
small-framed individuals need to follow to stay safe around farm
machinery will be demonstrated. There will also be sessions
about using hand tools efficiently and how to recuperate from
injury.
The program will include tours of historic Spence Farm, where
Kris, Will and Marty Travis grow vegetables, grains and hay;
raise pastured cattle and hogs; do beekeeping; wild harvest; and
make maple syrup. Participants will have a chance to see a
variety of farm machines in action.
Spence Farm Foundation is dedicated to growing sustainable
farms and communities and focuses on "teaching the art, history
and practice of sustainable small family farming." It offers
instruction to children, farmers and the public about farming
and rural lifestyles, translating the vision of a diversified
small family farm from the past to the present. For more
details, visit
www.spencefarmfoundation.org.
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Register for the event by May 10 at
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/. The program is limited
to 50 participants age 10 and up. The cost is $5 per participant.
Members of the Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network can
attend at no charge.
Participants should bring a sack lunch and a folding chair.
Drinks will be provided.
The Spence Farm -- Phelps Schoolhouse is located at 2959 N. 2050
East Road, Fairbury, in Livingston County.
[Text from file received from
University of
Illinois Extension]
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