Social Farming Ireland launched a new Report on Social Farming and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme at the farm of Patrick and Corrina Corrigan in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan last Monday the 21st January. Amongst the attendance of over 100 people was Principal Officer for the Social Inclusion and Communities Unit of the Department of Rural and Community Development, Paul Geraghty.
This publication explores the interactions and collaborations between Social Farming and the SICAP Programme and highlights the potential for Social Farming to provide positive outcomes for SICAP clients. It provides an introduction to Social Farming and to the SICAP Programme, describes the current level of engagement and activity between both, and presents two detailed case studies of Social Farming placements funded and supported by SICAP which provide strong qualitative evidence of the relevance and benefits of Social Farming to clients. It summarises the synergies between the goals and values of Social Farming and those of the SICAP Programme and describes how Social Farming placements work in practice and the pathways which can be taken by SICAP staff wishing to explore this innovative community inclusion opportunity for their clients.
We hope that this publication will provide a useful primer on Social Farming for all staff working within the SICAP programme. Contact details for Social Farming Ireland staff are contained in the back page; do please get in touch with the National Office here in Leitrim or with the most relevant staff member if you have any further queries or wish to explore Social Farming further though our contact page.
