Analysis of Farm Work in a Vertical Farm

Analysis of Farm Work in a Vertical Farm

Background and objective: Farm work involves a range of postures depending on the type of work, and repeated farm workperformed in an uncomfortable posture can cause serious functional disorders affecting the lower back, shoulders, joints,and muscles. For the physically disabled to participate in farm work, it is essential to analyze farm work based on theirindividual levels of physical ability. This study analyzed farm work in vertical smart farms to develop care farming servicesfor the purpose of vocational rehabilitation of the physically handicapped. Methods: Farm work was analyzed through a field survey in a vertical farm located in P-si, Gyeonggi-do. Based on theanalysis, major farm work was classified into duties and tasks. Results: Through a filed survey, farm work in a vertical farm was categorized into six duties, and all tasks were mainlyperformed within the same workplace. The six duties were analyzed as sowing, raising seedlings, transplanting, planting,harvesting (including sorting and packaging), and post-harvest cleaning, which were further classified into 28 tasks assub-areas. Conclusion: The result of this farm work analysis in a vertical farm will provide useful basic data for the development of carefarming services for the vocational rehabilitation of the physically handicapped.