Social Farming

Social Farming provides people who use services with the opportunity for inclusion, to increase self-esteem and to improve health and well-being by taking part in day to day farm activities on a family farm.  Activities vary from day to day and season to season and can be weather dependent. Apart from the activities, there is always plenty of time for tea, for chatting, for walking around the farm and for simply being in and learning about the natural environment.

Social farming is an outcome focused, support placement for people on a farm using the natural assets of the people, the place, the activities and the community to support a person to achieve some of their own chosen goals. It is fundamentally based on spending time with famers and their families in the natural environment of the farm, but also encompasses two other key elements; meaningful activities and social context which combine to deepen its impact further.

Social farming can complement and contribute to mental health and social care policy and services by:

• Promoting overall mental health and wellbeing
• Linking with therapeutic service provision
• Supporting user-determined health plans and budget

What kind of outdoor activities are carried out on social farms?

• Feeding and taking care of animals (cattle, sheep and horses)
• Grooming and walking horses
• Cleaning out sheds
• Working with wood (making bird boxes, stools, gates, etc.)
• Making raised beds
• Sowing, planting, weeding and harvesting of vegetables and fruit
• Tree planting and maintenance
• Collecting and cutting firewood
• Painting and maintenance of farm buildings and features such as fences, walls, pathways, etc.

What are the benefits of social farming for participants?

• The opportunity to learn lots of new things and to develop new skills outside in nature rather than in a classroom
• The opportunity to develop new interests, such as in animal care or the environment
• Gaining a different perspective on life and getting a break from institutional or home life
• Improved physical fitness and sense of well-being and vitality
• Increased sense of motivation and purpose which can be applied to other areas of life such as social life or self-care or education or job-seeking
• Fun, enjoyment and happiness from spending time with the farmer and the other participants
• Improved social connections and a sense of confidence in being around other people
• The opportunity to spend time in nature, in the fresh air, working with animals and plants