Are You Interested In Social Farming?

Community News

Are you interested in Social Farming?

By SHEILA KELLEHER

What is Social Farming?

Social farming offers people with disabilities the opportunity to spend time on a family farm, taking part in day-to-day farm activities. It is both a traditional and innovative approach to social integration, using agriculture and horticulture in local, rural regions to promote and generate social inclusion. Social Farming activities focus on people’s potential and encourages participants to socialise and gain confidence. It increases people’s self-esteem and capacity, improves community connections and relationships, as well as their health and well-being. The farm is not a specialised treatment farm; it remains a typical working farm where people in need of support can benefit from relationship building through farm activities in a non-clinical environment. IRD Duhallow was delighted to receive funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine this year to develop a social farming programme for the Duhallow region. Duhallow Social Farming operates as a voluntary model to enable real working relationships and friendships to develop. The Duhallow Social Farming programme adapts to each host farm environment and the needs of each individual participant. Host farms are supported with any maintenance and on-farm safety improvements, as well as access to relevant training opportunities. Our farmers have taken part in a first aid and ‘safeguarding vulnerable adults’ course, as well as an introduction to social farming online course.

What is involved?

Participants go to the host farm once a week for 2-4 hours on average. A range of activities take place on our host farms, from feeding and checking in on animals, to planting and growing vegetables and flowers. Of course, the most important job on all our host farms is the cup of tea before home time! Social farming can take place in farms ranging from 1 acre up to several hundred acres in size and across all sectors, including mixed farms, dairy, suckler, sheep, equine, horticulture, etc. Each participant will be matched to the host farm depending on their own abilities and interests. IRD Duhallow will facilitate an induction day where the participant and farmer meet; the participant gets to see the farm and they both ensure they want to go ahead with the placement. Farmers and participants will continue to be supported by the social farming facilitator while on their social farming journey.

Why get involved?

Social farming creates the opportunity for farmers to reconnect with their local communities by opening their farms as part of a social support system. The Social Farming programme can improve the farm work environment, with the participant providing the farmer with help and company. Social farming will also allow for learning opportunities for the farmer, giving them a better understanding of disabilities and improving their communication skills. Farm improvements may be another benefit for farmers, with IRD Duhallow assisting with on-farm safety upgrades for social farming activities. If you are interested in getting involved with social farming, please contact our social farming facilitator, Sheila Kelleher at sheila.kelleher@irdduhallow.com or call 029-60633.

Michael and Peggy Lynch, Host Farmers

Michael and Peggy Lynch have a sucker farm in Ballingeary, Co. Cork. They also have two miniature ponies, two pygmy goats and three dogs. Michael and Peggy have four daughters: Caitriona, Roisin, Aoife and Aisling. The family have welcomed Louise, Martin and Nora from COPE foundation along with their support worker Cathy to the farm. Peggy told us why they decided to get involved in social farming:

“My husband Michael and I wanted to do something to help people in need. We discovered IRD Duhallow were doing this social farming programme and I knew in my heart straight away this was the perfect opportunity for us. We contacted IRD Duhallow and now have three participants from COPE foundation coming to our farm and we absolutely love them. They’ve become part of our family, part of our week and part of our lives. We love seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter and jokes. They’ve really changed the atmosphere on this farm by being here and helping us out. Martin is so strong and is great at brushing the ponies and setting flowers. Louise and Nora are brilliant at feeding the calves and looking after the goats. It’s in giving you receive, and I would recommend social farming to everyone”.