5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Leitrim Development Company secure national role in social farming for tenth year
This is the 10th successive year the Leitrim company has been awarded the tender having successfully negotiated a €500,000 increase in the investment in the programme.
The Social Farming Network enables individuals availing of various therapeutic or day support services, including mental health, disability, eldercare, and youth services, to voluntarily participate in farming and horticultural activities in a supportive environment.
The model promotes well-being, community connection, and rural inclusion.
The programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF).
Minister Harkin welcomed today's announcement by Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, which confirmed continued government investment of €900,000 into social farming, with Leitrim Development Company set to lead the National Social Farming Network in 2025.
'This is a proud day for Leitrim and for our region.
"I extend my sincere congratulations to all at Leitrim Integrated Development Company, in particular to Brian Smyth, Head of Strategy at the Leitrim Company and National Project Manager for Social Farming Ireland.
"Their long-standing commitment to inclusion, innovation, and rural development has clearly positioned them as leaders in the social farming space.
'Social farming changes lives.
" It connects people who may be isolated or vulnerable with the land, with animals, with community, offering not just therapeutic benefit but real opportunity and social inclusion.
"The vision and experience of Leitrim Development Company in delivering meaningful, person-centred programmes across the country has been instrumental in making social farming a national success.'
'As a region and as a country, we are stronger when we invest in inclusive, grassroots initiatives like social farming.
"I commend Minister Heydon for maintaining this support and again congratulate Leitrim Development Company on their national leadership role. This is a well-earned recognition of their excellence and impact,' Minister Harkin said.
