Social Farming Ireland is hosting five farm open days around the country as part of Social Farming Awareness Week, which runs from Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 11.

The week which coincides with World Mental Health Day on October 10 and October as Mental Health Month, provides the opportunity to learn more about social farming and the type of activities that are on offer.

Social Farming provides an opportunity to support recovery in ordinary farm settings for many people experiencing mental health challenges.

The tagline for social farming is ‘New Opportunities, Connecting People, Enhancing Lives.’

Social Farming Ireland is hosting the farm open days where ordinary farm settings open their gates to many, and share their experiences. 

Social farming

Mental Health Ireland has chosen the theme of ‘Connect.’

“Connecting is a key benefit that can be derived from a social farming experience, and through connecting with the farmer and the the community hinterland, many people can improve their health and wellbeing,” said Helen Doherty, Social Farming Ireland coordinator.

“European Mental Health Week earlier in the year focused on the theme of ‘Better Together: Co-creating the Future of Mental Health’ and again, social farming is a wonderful example of co-creation of solutions to support health and wellbeing with the health care sector collaborating with the agriculture sector to provide innovative support for people in ordinary non-clinical farm settings,” Doherty said.

During the five open days, visitors will get an insight into how the farm operates and learn about the role it plays in promoting wellbeing and inclusion.

People will get to meet farmers and participants to hear first-hand the experiences, benefits and the impact of social farming on their lives.

“Participants on these farms engage in activities such as planting, animal care, and potentially learn about agriculture and sustainable practices while understanding how farming can be a space for both productivity and healing,” Doherty said.

“These events raise awareness about social farming and encourage community support and involvement in this innovative farming practice.

“Social Farming also fosters inclusivity by showing how farms can provide a nurturing environment for those in need of health or social care support,” she added.

Social farming

The awareness week starts in Inagh in Co. Clare, on the farm of Michael Callinan on Monday, October 7 from 10:30a.m to 12:30p.m.

Callinan and his family have been involved in Social Farming since 2019 and he has hosted a wide range of participants on his farm since.

He is the fifth generation on the family land, which is now a suckler farm, and has won many awards for health and safety.

Callinan has also been a Farming for Nature nominee and was shortlisted as a sustainable farmer in the Talamh Awards which recognise the environment and social sustainability.

Activities on the farm include animal husbandry and also horticulture and general maintenance.

On Tuesday, October 8 from 10:30a.m to 12:30p.m, it’s onto Hope Springs farm in Dungourney in Cork where Emer O’Keeffe and James Leahy have mostly hosted participants with disabilities since 2021.

“Here on this suckler beef farm, where Aberdeen Angus cows rear their calves, people can connect with animals and nature in this unspoilt corner of the world where James farms full-time,” said Doherty.

It is mostly a hilly farm, and on a clear day the sea from Youghal to Ballycotton can be seen from the top of the hills.

The farm is surrounded by Coillte forests, and because of this lots of wildlife can be seen daily on the farm, such as herds of wild deer, hares, hawks, pheasants, foxes and frogs.

The family also like to grow their own food in a farm-to-fork experience.

Social farming

On Wednesday, October 9 from 10:30a.m-12:30p.m, the gates at Lakeview Farm close to the old cathedral town of Elphin in Co. Roscommon, will open to visitors.

Anne Beirne and her husband, Gerry, have been farming together since 1989. They run a suckler herd and have started rearing dairy calves on an automatic calf feeder recently.

There are always lots of activities for Social Farming participants, including tending to the animals and mending fences, as well as enjoying chats with neighbouring farmers. 

Beirne is a retired special needs assistant (SNA), and her hobbies include art, reading, and photography. She loves being out in nature and is keen to combine her love of art with her natural surroundings to offer help to others to help themselves.

On Thursday, October 10, it’s on to Kill in Co. Kildare, to the farm of Stephen Morrisson from 1:00p.m to 3:00p.m.

Morrisson is the third generation to farm at Hartwell Farm, close to the village of Kill and 20 minutes from Newlands Cross, Dublin. The main activity is suckler farming with cows calving in the spring and all progenies brought to beef.

Social Farming participants can also experience the forest garden, vegetable garden, hens, forestry, and odd jobs around the yard such as forking in silage/hay to cattle.

Morrisson is also involved with Farming for Nature and was voted ambassador in 2020. He also ran a Soearth project on the farm where he saw first-hand how people interact with nature and the animals on the farm and the positive impact it has on their wellbeing.

Rounding off the week on Friday, October 11 from 10:30a.m to 12:30p.m, will be a trip to Co. Cavan in the Ulster/Connacht region where the social farming pilot project kick-started on the island of Ireland. 

Social farming

The farm of Gerard Lynch near Butlersbridge, is just 10 minutes from Cavan town.

On this family farm there are dairy cows and they also calve down replacements each year. The farm has been in the family for three generations, and over the years has been upgraded with new sheds and a new silage pit.

The next generation have a keen interest in the farm.

The land overlooks Carafin Lake where Lynch’s mother ran a tourism business. Now retired, she enjoys sharing hospitality with the participants and frequently bakes scones for the tea break on Social Farming days.

Doherty is encouraging farmers around the country to visit one of the open days.

“Experience first-hand the incredible impact of Social Farming and discover how it fosters community connection, social inclusion, and wellbeing through nature,” she said.

Booking in advance is essential. Contact Caoimhe at 086 065 4136 or 071 964 1772, email [email protected]