Social Farming: Connecting with land, with community and with history

Welcome to the latest Mad In Ireland Fields of Healing podcast episode. It seems fitting that as we move into the time of Imbolg the time when ewes are pregnant with their spring lambs, that we are speaking to a sheep farmer and how he has integrated Social Farming into his family’s organic farm. I realise when talking with Matthew that the ‘social’ in the faming programme is key and can incorporated anything from weaving folklore into the names and traverses of the landscape to popping in for a spot of lunch to the local community centre.

Social farming provides a deep connection to the land and the seasons. It increases self-esteem and improves health and well-being on many levels. The meaningful farm activities that allow people to participate in day-to-day farm activities are only one aspect of the experience. The beautiful scenery, trips in the jeep, social connections, home cooking, and family welcome add a different level of expertise that is unmatched by any other opportunity, in Matthews's opinion. Another aspect of social farming is the interaction with the local farming community. Participants can feel at ease and become part of the community while they are out on their placement. It is a fantastic opportunity for people living in town settings like Dundalk, who usually wouldn't have the chance to work outdoors and be in nature.

Social Farming in Ireland has the potential to grow, transform and support the well-being of many more people across the generations, from teenagers seeking to leave school to older adults. Matthew celebrated with social farming teenagers who reached important life milestones, and he recently had a lady participate in social farming on her 80th birthday. Social farming has been proven to be effective for participants across a range of services, including intellectual disability, mental health, physical disability, addiction services, asylum seekers, long-term unemployed and at-risk youths.