Kerry Social Farming Project
Kerry Social Farming ď‚— What is Social Farming?
people who are at risk of social exclusion e.g. people with disabilities opportunity to engage with ordinary farm families and the farming community
Kerry Social Farming ď‚—Why Social Farming? Real inclusion in rural communities New experiences and skills
Well-being Increase public awareness
Kerry Social Farming Foundation Started by the Agriculture Working Group of SKDP Social Farming Across Borders (SoFAB)
Attended SoFAB conference in Carrick an Shannon (2011) & Armagh
Kerry Social Farming Foundation - SKDP Local Led-Based on a community model SICAP Horizontal Themes Promoting and Equality Framework
Applying Community Development Approaches Development Collaborative Approaches
Kerry Social Farming Foundation Strategic collaboration – led by SKDP SICAP RSS and TUS Community Stakeholders
Relationships with farmers Research: Iveragh Uplands, Rural Vibrancy
Kerry Social Farming 2013-2017 • Development • Commenced 2013 – lead partner South Kerry Development Partnership CLG (SKDP) • Working Group established – community & voluntary groups, statutory representatives, service providers, farmers, participants and families • Developed a social farming model that would fit Co. Kerry demographic
Kerry Social Farming Shared Services – Working Group Farmer
Service Providers & HSE
LDC & Community
Participant
Families & Voluntary
Kerry Social Farming  Kerry Social Farming Model Community Based – bottom up Voluntary model (Rural Vibrancy) No farmer out of pocket Shared Services
Kerry Social Farming Implementation Project directed by Working Group Memorandum of Understanding was developed involving all partners RSS participants – host farmers RSS and Tús initiative to support operation on the ground Supervisors – farm safety checks, and supervise meitheals! (John McCrohan, Paddy Casey)
Kerry Social Farming Growth: SICAP funding 2013-2016 SICAP Funding predominantly used to make the farm safer for participants and to increase activities on the farms in the early days SICAP Funding was used to Sub-contract in service provider support workers By end of 2016, 9 host farms in operation: 8 in SKDP area and 1 set up in partner LDC NEWKD
Kerry Social Farming Growth
Total SICAP expenditure 2014-2016: ~ €40,300
Kerry Social Farming Project How KSF Works!
The farm remains a working farm at its core 1-2 participants 4-6 hrs once a week Farm visits, H&S check, vetting Application
Agency support workers, social farm facilitator
Trial (4-8 weeks)
Farm upgrades
Ongoing Support
Kerry Social Farming 2013-2017 • Funding
• SICAP 2013-2016 farm upgrades (H&S, additional farm activities) • 2016 and 2017 SKDP won a tender from Dept of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM; via CEDRA funding mechanism) - Roll out a model of social farming with national benefits • DAFM Funding: Funds fulltime facilitator, Evaluation on Kerry Social Farming (2017), increased funding for farm upgrades and other operational costs
Kerry Social Farming 2013-2017 • County wide development
• 10 host farms, 1 community garden are established; 3 farms and an additional community garden in start-up phase in 2017 • Since 2013, 36 participants across the county; 2011 SF days by end June 2017 • Host Farm Walks involving host farmers and participants – knowledge transfer • Development of Social Car – Local Link Kerry
Kerry Social Farming Project ď‚— An Evaluation Report on Kerry Social Farming 2017 Dr Caroline Crowley (Crowley Research), Dr Shane O Sullivan (LIT), Dr Brendan O Keeffe (MIC)
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Social Farming Works! Benefit of Voluntary Model:
Real friendships and real social inclusion Community involvement for farmers
Sustainable (long term placements participants) Excellent farm safety initiative Local Led Development is Key
Kerry Social Farming Project Launch of the Evaluation Report on Kerry Social Farming on 7th July 2017 Host Farmer George Kelly’s Hazelfort Farm CreedCreedCreed Minister Michael Creed, Minister for DAFM in attendance
Kerry Social Farming Project •
FUTURE OBJECTIVES
Awarded €123K from DAFM (via CEDRA funding mechanism) –
continue to develop the KSFP with a national reach
Guided by Evaluation Report on KSF in 2017
Develop opportunities for farmers and participants (e.g. develop knowledge transfer events, and skills/training opportunities)
Develop the role of RSS farmers in social farming
Collaborate with other LDCs and other bodies to develop Social Farming nationally
Open days, Social Farming Conference
Kerry Social Farming Project Kerry Community Award Overall Winners 2017
National Pride of Place Finalists 2017
www.kerrysocialfarming.ie