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Creating Tools for the Small Organic Farm

This session will highlight the work of small-farm tool designers/makers as an inspiration for all farmers to create tools that meet their own farm needs. Barry Griffin will discuss the invention of the TC Electric Tractor, the Horse Tractor, the Powered Wheel, and the Farmer’s Friend salad-greens harvester to illustrate the opportunities and challenges. Michael McGowen will detail the development of Tillie, a 24-volt electric tiller, and Solus, an electric wheel hoe, as well as the bigger picture of creating practical tools for small farming. Griffin founded Slow Tools soon after enlisting Eliot Coleman to mentor engineering students in the design of several small-scale farming tools. The three will discuss this organization and host a full morning Slow Tools working group on Saturday morning.

Sponsored By: 
the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

Track and Session Info

Track: 
Beginning Farmers & Ranchers
Session: 
C | 3:30 pm

Date and Location

Location: 
Fred Farr
Day: 
Thursday
Date: 
01/22/15
Presenter(s): 

Jack Algiere

Title: 
Jack Algiere
Presenter Affiliation: 
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Barry Griffin

Title: 
Barry Griffin
Presenter Affiliation: 
Harvard University Design Studio

Michael McGowen

Title: 
Michael McGowen
Presenter Affiliation: 
Carts and Tools Technology

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