Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

From my experience as Organic Urban Farmer and my educational Background as Certified Horticulturist and Certified Massage Therapist, I have learned a lot about how to use my body when I do Garden or farming chores.

People who come to my Organic Gardening Class here in S.Florida forget to ask me about how to garden using their body as a TOOL.They are mostly focussed on the OUTER IMAGE whether of their garden DESIGN .They need to educate themselves how to cope with the OUTDOORS CLIMATE of TROPICAL S.Florida FIRST>

The human body adapts to the environment once we expose ourselves to the heat and humidity of SF.Gardening in the air conditioned COMFORT ZONE is not practical.

Here are some ERGONOMIC and Anatomy and Pysiology  tips to follow :

1-Use your body weight when you garden, especially:When pushing,pulling,digging,lifting etc..Use correct  postures hwen maneuvering your body in the garden chores.Listen to your body.

2-Use -and be MINDFUL of -the Gravity factor , when you position your functional and structural movements to do garden work.Remember that gravity encounter resistance from your body, so the less focal points of resistance exerted by your body the more efficient your work.

3-Study Anatomy and Physiology of the HUMAN BODY .There are plenty of learning channels especially if you check out INTERNET resources.

4-Choose the less STRESSFUL time to garden in S.Floida.Early morning or late afternoon where the temperature is not so HIGH  for example.

5-Put on Garden Gear:Wear a hat,a sun screen .Drink plenty of water etc

6-Visit your health professional,chiropractor and make sure that your body is fit for gardening work.

7-Train your muscles gradually.Do stretching exercises to counter the constrictions of musles.Yoga is my best stretching exercise .Massages are very helpful too!

8-Use ERGONOMIC TOOLS that are fit for your body.Try them before you BUY THEM.There are so many tricks to sell you tools just to make a BUCK!Women and men have different standard tools to use depending on their body weight,size  in addition to mental and physical muscular strength/endurance.

9-Train with an  ERGONOMICS educated and gardening experienced farmer /therapist/mentor.

10-Sign up for Ergonomics classes and learn how to keep your body fit and safe while farming or gardening.It is good to KNOW!

Happy Ergonomic gardening!