Source: GREEN HERON TOOLS, LLC submitted to NRP
NEED FOR AND FEASIBILITY OF DESIGNING, PRODUCING AND MARKETING AGRICULTURAL TOOLS & EQUIPMENT FOR WOMEN
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0217731
Grant No.
2009-33610-19668
Cumulative Award Amt.
$80,000.00
Proposal No.
2009-00250
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2009
Project End Date
Jan 31, 2010
Grant Year
2009
Program Code
[8.12]- Small and Mid-Size Farms
Recipient Organization
GREEN HERON TOOLS, LLC
6239 SCHOCHARY RD.
NEW TRIPOLI,PA 18066
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The number of female farmers in the U.S. is on the rise, indicating a need for agricultural equipment that is safe and easy to use for women. Between 1997 and 2002, the total number of U.S. farms declined by almost 4%, yet the number of farms whose principal operators were women increased by 13%. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of farms run by women increased by an even larger 29%, compared with a modest gain of 3.6% for all U.S. farms. Trends in farm ownership have led USDA to predict that as many as 75% of U.S. farms will be owned or co-owned by women by the year 2014. Nonetheless, virtually all agricultural tools and equipment are designed for men. The need for women to have tools and equipment designed for them becomes apparent when considering differences between women's and men's bodies. On average, females have 40% to 75% less upper-body strength and 5% to 30% less lower-body strength than men. Women also tend to be shorter than men and to have more adipose tissue, narrower shoulders, wider hips and proportionally shorter legs and arms. Women's grips tend to be smaller than men's. In addition to affecting how comfortable and easy it is for women to use traditionally designed tools, some of these anatomical and physiological differences may place women at risk for farm injuries, according to several authors. One example is musculoskeletal injuries, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says can be reduced through the redesign of tools using the principles of ergonomics. Nursing researcher Carrie McCoy, Ph.D. and colleagues, meanwhile, have urged that in light of women's increasing presence in agriculture, "engineering research . . . be conducted to design machinery and equipment that is ergonomically appropriate for smaller body frames." Because women's farms tend to be smaller - 53.5% were 1-49 acres in 2007, with the greatest increase over 2002 being in farms of 1-9 acres - the most useful tools and equipment are likely to be hand tools and smaller mechanized equipment such as rototillers and small tractors. This conclusion is supported by survey data gathered by the applicant. Despite all the information cited above, a thorough review of agricultural databases and other sources failed to yield evidence of any projects in the U.S. or other industrialized nations to adapt or design equipment for women's use. Only in India have efforts been made to adapt some farm tools for women. Green Heron Tools, LLC, is proposing to design agricultural tools and equipment based on women's unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, incorporating the latest principles of ergonomic design, use of state-of-the-art materials, and women's own perspectives on what they want and need. Women's use of technologically improved tools and equipment is expected to lead to increased productivity, a reduced incidence of agriculturally related injuries and disabilities, improved quality of life, and enhanced viability of farming for women. To date, the project has been supported by women's farming and/or sustainable agriculture organizations in 10 states.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
4025310202070%
7236010308030%
Knowledge Area
723 - Hazards to Human Health and Safety; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
5310 - Machinery and equipment; 6010 - Individuals;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 3080 - Sociology;
Goals / Objectives
Project objectives are: 1. To assess the need for and the availability of agricultural tools and equipment appropriate for women 2. To determine appropriate venues for marketing, sales and distribution of agricultural tools / equipment designed for women 3. To develop a set of design parameters for tools/equipment designed for women, based on anthropometric and other human factors data, ergonomic principles and input from women farmers 4. To design, perform a cost analysis of and trial three agricultural hand tools for women 5. To conceptualize potential designs for a rototiller suitable for women farmers. Expected outputs include: -Four focus groups conducted with women farmers, at least three by June 30 -Ten interviews with experts in the field of women in agriculture, by June 30 -At least 125 surveys of women farmers and growers, by June 30 -Analysis of data from all of the above, by July 15 -Prioritized list of tools/equipment needed by women farmers, by July 15 -A set of design parameters for tools/equipment designed for women, by Dec. 31 -Prototypes of three hand tools, by Sept. 30 -Field testing of prototype tools and analysis of results, by Nov. 15 -Adjustments to tools design based on results of field testing, by Dec. 31 -Preliminary economic feasibility plan for producing tools / equipment, by Dec. 31 -General design concepts for a rototiller suitable for women farmers, by Dec. 31
Project Methods
Tools and equipment will be designed based on a combination of anthropometric and other human factors data, the latest principles of ergonomic design and use of state-of-the-art materials, supplemented by qualitative data obtained via focus groups, surveys (which will also yield quantitative data), interviews and field testing of prototypes. Tool design guidelines from federal health and safety agencies such as the CDC, NIOSH and OSHA will be incorporated as appropriate. Engineering work will be carried out in accordance with accepted engineering / scientific standards, in facilities of Pennsylvania State University's Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University Park campus, State College, PA. All instrumentation and physical facilities needed for this project are available in the Department's Fabrication Lab. Laboratory testing of tools based on standard protocols will be conducted prior to field testing. Protocols for focus groups and interviews will be developed in consultation with a recognized expert in qualitative research related to women in agriculture. All data will be analyzed in accordance with accepted standards for quantitative and qualitative research - e.g., identification of themes from focus groups and interviews, and the use of focus groups and interviews (qualitative methodologies) to expand upon quantitative survey data. The tools themselves will reflect a synthesis of quantitative data (e.g., anthropometric data; results of standardized laboratory testing) and qualitative data (e.g., women farmers' subjective experiences using the prototype tools). In the case of field testing, all participating women will fill out a standardized evaluation form, while some women will also be interviewed and/or invited to participate in a focus group. Throughout the project a variety of efforts will be made to educate women farmers about the health and safety benefits of using tools and equipment designed specifically for women's bodies. These will include informal education incorporated into focus groups, interviews and field testing of tools; and dissemination of information through presentations at farming conferences and outreach to electronic and print media (the investigators have already been contacted by individuals interested in featuring the project on radio, webcast and online magazine). Findings will be disseminated to professional audiences through publications and conference presentations. Evaluation of this project will be primarily formative, with an expanded version of the proposal work plan being used as the basis for ensuring that objectives and outputs are achieved. Regular meetings of the investigators and consultants (engineers and ergonomics specialist) will be used for continuous improvement - i.e. to ensure the project remains on schedule and to problem-solve any barriers. Summative evaluation for this project will consist of a straightforward examination of whether objectives have been achieved.

Progress 06/01/09 to 01/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities -- Conducted & analyzed data from: 17 interviews with farmers, academic researchers, public health / agricultural safety experts, women's agricultural organization leaders; 4 focus groups with 26 women farmers and market growers in three states (VT, IA, OR)and 1 trial focus group in PA; 218 on-line surveys from respondents in at least 32 states. Additional internet-based searching for tools & equipment appropriate for women. Field and lab testing of prototype hand tools, including physiological measurements, user preference & blade penetration. Field testing & evaluation of existing tools & equipment by volunteer women farmers & market growers. Events -- Presentation and prototype testing at PA Women's Agricultural Network field day. Presentation to Penn State University & Seoul National University graduate industrial engineering students in Human Centered Product Design course. Products -- 7 prototype hand tools (shovels, spades, hybrid spade/shovels, hoes) based on ergonomic considerations and women's anthropometric data; design parameters for tools & equipment appropriate for women; design concepts for improved equipment to do the work of walk-behind rotary tillers; soil penetrometer modified to measure force necessary to insert blades into various soils; preliminary designs / CAD drawings for carts appropriate for women users; expanded network of project supporters & collaborators (including women's agricultural networks, NY Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health/Northeast Center for Agricultural & Occupational Health, sustainable farming organizations); network of 21 tool-test volunteers; website (www.greenherontools.com) with content related to tools use and health & safety of women farmers; list of existing tools & equipment that work well for women farmers and market growers, based on testing by volunteers, recommendations from women farmers and certain key characteristics of the tools & equipment. Patent application to be filed. Dissemination -- Website; word of mouth; outreach to women's agricultural organizations; collaboration with other organizations with similar missions; articles (see below). Focus groups and interviews provided opportunity to educate participants about the connections between tool & equipment use (including proper sizing) and health & safety. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Ann M. Adams, RN, MSN (PD/PI)and Elizabeth A. Brensinger, MPH (Co-PD/PI)-- substantive and administrative project oversight and coordination; collection and analysis of qualitative data; leadership of design team; outreach to agricultural, public health and academic communities; responsibility for ensuring the meeting of all objectives. Aaron M. Yoder, Ph.D. -- lead consulting engineer, design team member, builder of prototype tools, designer of adapted penetrometer. Andris Freivalds, Ph.D. -- consulting engineer / ergonomist, design team member, coordinator of field and lab testing of prototype tools, coordinator of development of design parameters. Jesun Hwang, Ph.D. candidate -- design team member, collected and analyzed physiological data from lab and field testing, researched anthropometric data. Angela N. Hissong, D.Ed. -- design team member, consulting occupational therapist. Partner organizations & collaborators: Vermont Women's Agricultural Network -- set up and hosted two focus groups, disseminated information about survey and project. Women, Food & Agriculture Network -- set up focus group of Iowa women farmers, disseminated information about survey and project, will run newsletter article about project in Spring, 2010. Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network -- set up & hosted pilot focus group, disseminated information about survey and project, recruited volunteers to test prototype tools, sponsored Field Day ("The Right Tool for the Job") at which Green Heron Tools presented. League of Women Farmers, Southwestern Oregon -- set up and hosted focus group, published newsletter article regarding project. Arkansas Women in Agriculture -- disseminated information about survey and project. Cornell University Small Farms Project -- disseminated information about survey and project. Maine Women's Agricultural Network -- disseminated information about survey and project. Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture -- disseminated information about survey via newsletter and email, will publish article about project in March / April 2010 newsletter. Heart of Maine Resource Conservation & Development -- disseminated information about survey and project. NY Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health/Northeast Center for Agricultural & Occupational Health -- hosted meeting of GHT and 5 NYCAMH/NEC staff to discuss future collaboration in information sharing & field testing of tools. Alexander Equipment Co. -- partnered with Green Heron Tools to make tractor rapid hitch widely available via GHT website. Valley Oak Tool Co. -- manufacturer of adjustable wheel hoe sold by GHT. Training or professional development -- collaboration with Penn State University Industrial Engineering faculty to provide opportunities for graduate students to design agricultural equipment appropriate for women farmers based on criteria provided by GHT. Injury prevention training for women farmers as part of Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network Field Day. TARGET AUDIENCES: Primary target audiences: women farmers & market growers. Secondary target audiences: women landscapers, viticulturists, and gardeners; men of smaller stature (e.g., Mexicans and other Latinos, Asians). Efforts: education via website; Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network field day; informal education during focus groups, at conferences & farmer gatherings, with tool testers etc.; education via newsletter and magazine articles; outreach to women's agricultural organizations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The project clearly established both the need for and the current absence of agricultural tools & equipment designed explicitly to work well with women's bodies. Results also demonstrated the feasibility of using anthropometric and other human factors data, in combination with user input and results of field and lab testing, to design tools and equipment to meet women's needs. Other outcomes include: increased awareness among women farmers and market growers of the importance of the fit of tools & equipment, and the relationship between tools use and health and safety; expected actions by women farmers to use tools & equipment more safely; eventual improvement in conditions for women farmers and market growers as tools developed or identified in Phase I are made widely available; increased awareness among industrial engineering graduate students of the need for tools & equipment designed for women and for small-scale agriculture, manifested by three groups' choosing to do their final projects on equipment appropriate for women farmers. All project objectives were achieved. All outcomes were a direct result of the Phase I activities and resources, which enabled Green Heron Tools to work with appropriate engineers whose specialties included agricultural engineering, ergonomics and manufacturing engineering; to access appropriate facilities; and to vastly expand the network of professionals and practitioners (farmers, market growers, landscapers etc.)interested in and supportive of the work of Green Heron Tools.

Publications

  • Abstract accepted for presentation at 2010 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers. "Designing Tools and Agricultural Equipment for Women."
  • Newsletter article published in July-September 2009 issue of The Smallholding, a newsletter of Oregon State University. "Green Heron Tools Project."
  • Article published in January-February 2010 issue of the national magazine Farmers' Markets Today. "The Female Side of Farming."
  • Article upcoming in the March/April 2010 issue of Passages, the newsletter of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.
  • Article upcoming in the spring 2010 newsletter of the Women, Food & Agriculture Network
  • Article upcoming in the April 2010 issue of Grid, a Philadelphia area monthly publication.
  • Dissertation upcoming in 2011 from Ph.D. candidate Jesun Hwang, who worked on the project under the direction of Andris Freivalds, Ph.D.