An Introduction to Social Farming - Tuesday July 12th 2011

Event | 08 Jul 2011

This meeting will be held at 2pm in the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge, Carlow

An Introduction to Social Farming - Tuesday July 12th 2011 image

Integration between agriculture and social activities can also provide farmers with new sources of income

Social Farming concerns all activities that use Agricultural resources to promote or generate social services in rural areas. The positive impact of agriculture and rural resources on the social, physical and mental well-being of people has been well documented in other European countries. Social farming represents a new opportunity for farmers to deliver alternative services to broaden and diversify the scope of their activities and their role in their local community. This integration between agriculture and social activities can also provide farmers with new sources of income and allow people with disabilities, mental-health difficulties, drug/alcohol rehabilitation and older people to remain part of their community and participate within it, in a healthy and natural environment.

Speakers will include:
02.00 pm Introduction to Workshop - Amanda Murray CCDP
02.10pm Background & Emergence of Social Farming - Ireland and Europe
Aideen McGloin, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD
02.40 pm How to Establish a Social Farm - Margaret Fingleton
03.10pm Practicalities of Social Farming - Hans Widmann and Vincent Coyle
03.40pm Case Study – Belmont Farm - Liam Tobin and Aidan Murphy, Brothers of Charity Services, South East
04.10pm Benefits of Social Farming - Patrick Lydon and Christopher Roche, Camphill Ballytobin
04.40pm Questions and Answers

Those interested in attending the Information Meeting on Tuesday 12th July 2011 at 2pm in the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow should register by contacting Amanda on 059 9720733