National Care Farming Initiative (UK)
Our mission: To provide a voice and supportive services for care farmers, to inspire decision makers and to develop policies and actions that will support care farming in the UK.
Our vision: To see thriving farms and landscapes providing social, educational, therapeutic and development opportunities.
What is Care Farming?
- Combining care of the land with care of people, in a setting where they feel safe, respected and engaged in meaningful activity.
- Using commercial farms, woodlands and market gardens as a base for promoting mental and physical health through normal farming activity.
- A partnership between farmers, participants and health & social care agencies, that develops people's potential rather than focusing on their limitations.
Who benefits?
- Participants: They often experience improvements to their physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being.
- Farmers: A high value is placed on their knowledge and skills. They gain great satisfaction from helping people improve their lives through farming.
- Rural communities and economies: Care helps rural communities become more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.