Details of National Social Farming Network programme delivery announced
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine earlier this year issued a public tender request for the provision of a National Social Farming Network programme.
Making the announcement today (Friday), Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said that social farming is an "exciting and successful venture that benefits individuals, families and wider society".
"It is the practice of offering, on a voluntary basis, farming and horticultural participation in an appropriate environment to people who avail of a range of therapeutic day support services," the minister said.
"These operations are run in several settings ranging from working family farms and local community initiatives through to more institutional frameworks.
"The majority of participants are users of disability and mental health services."
Minister Heydon also outlined that through the work of the network, however, participants have also been sourced from other sectors such as at-risk youth programmes, homelessness services, educational programmes, eldercare services and others.
"Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG are experienced service providers who have the capability and vision to develop and implement a tailored work programme in support of social farming at national level," the minister added.
Funding of €900,000 is being made available for 2025 to fund the provision of supports for a National Social Farming Network.
Minister Heydon said also that four contracts have been extended, supporting social farming model projects for 2025/2026.
Funding is being provided under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund to the following projects:
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