ROANOKE, Wash. (WDBJ) – If you're a farmer or even someone with a backyard, you'll agree that it's hard work. You know your hard work will pay off, but if you're not careful, it can take a toll on your body.
The Red Roanoke Foodshed is hosting a workshop called Farm and Garden Flourishing.
The network consists of a variety of organizations related to agriculture and food systems in the Roanoke Valley. One of them is AgrAbility Virginia.
“A lot of growers struggle to find time during the growing season to rest and recover from all that physical work, and so you think about how you hold your body, your posture, how you do it. If you're not in the smoothest, most correct position, it wears your body down,” explained Garland Mason, Virginia AgrAbility Program Coordinator.
The workshop will show you how, with the right tools and a few simple strategies, you can enjoy the things you love without seriously injuring your body and making difficult tasks easier due to injury or disability.
“We're showing people these tools that are designed to help with body mechanics and ergonomics, not strain your back, take the strain off certain parts of the body that might be injured, sore or tired, and reduce the need to bend and stoop. it's over,” Mason said.
You will also learn how to implement strategies such as planting cover crops and using drip irrigation systems to reduce the need for weeds.
The workshop is free and open to the public. It will be held on Wednesday, October 26th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Lick Run Farm at 1626 NW 10th Street in Roanoke. Registration is not required. You can ask questions and try out the tools.
If you'd like to learn more about AgrAbility, there's a virtual workshop on Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. You will hear the success stories of the program participants and you will be able to ask questions. Click here to go to the virtual presentation.
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