Social Farming Across Borders (SoFAB) is a new innovative cross border project which connects people with disabilities and the local farming community through social framing.
Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on family farms as a form of social support service. In Social Farming the farm remains a working farm at its core but invites people to participate in the day to day activities of the farm. Social Farming provides people who use services with the opportunity for inclusion, to increase self-esteem and to improve health and well-being.
The aim of the project is
“We promote Social Farming as a viable option for achieving improved quality of life for people who use health and social services and for farm families, through enhancing social inclusion and connecting farmers with their communities.”
SoFAB Project is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme, managed by Special EU Programmes Body. The project partners are University College Dublin (lead partner), Queen’s University Belfast and Leitrim Development Company and covers the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Londonderry, Louth, Monaghan, Tyrone and Sligo.
Social Farming Across Borders Project Actions
- Implement 20 on farm based pilots projects
- Establish a network of farmers, health/social care personnel and others
- Hosts network visit to Social Farms in Ireland & UK.
- Provide training to farmers and health/social care personnel
- Share learning through conferences, network meetings and web site
- Publish a Guide book to assist the establishment of Social Farming.
For further information contact:-
SoFAB Cross Border Project Office
Laird House
Drumshanbo
Co. Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0)71 964 1772
Mob: +353 (0) 867905596
Email: socialfarming@ldco.ie
Web: www.socialfarmingacrossborders.org