What types of farms are suitable for social farming?
A variety of types of farms can and do engage in social farming, from one acre horticultural units up to farms of hundreds of acres. However, the majority are small to medium sized and are not intensive or highly mechanised operations. Most are mixed farming operations, therefore providing a wide variety of potential activities for participants and the capacity to meet a range of preferences and interests.
Social farms often place a strong emphasis on one or more of the following: organic or chemical free agriculture; animal welfare; the maintenance of traditional farming skills and equipment; and the heritage and ecological value of the farm landscape and buildings.
Having access to indoor space such as a wood shed, poly-tunnel or workshop where participants can still get on with activities in inclement weather is very useful.
