Social Farming Ireland

social farming is the practice of offering family farms as a form of social service. in social farming, the farm remains a working family farm at its core but invites people to participate in the activities of the farm. in return, the farmer is rewarded for the provision of the support. social farming services provide disadvantaged groups of people the opportunity for inclusion, to increase their self-esteem and to improve health and well-being opening opportunities for valued social roles for people. it has the potential to offer solutions to the provision of public service supports in rural areas and to re-connect farmers with their community. social farming is well established in a number of eu states such as the netherlands and belgium and is currently in development stage in ireland supported by the department of agriculture food and the marine