Social Farming : what is it and what are its benefits and possibilities in European and Icelandic contexts?

• Main Author: Kathrin Jolanta Schymura 1987-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: BA ritgerðir; Þroskaþjálfafræði; Social education; Social farming; Félagsleg aðstoð; Samyrkjubú; Geðheilsa; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/42657

Social Farming is the connection of Social Work with farming, gardening, forestry and other activities in nature. Therefore, it offers occupational opportunities to a big spectrum of people, from children, people with disabilities, the elderly, people with drug addiction, prisoners and many more. This combination of Social Work and farming leads to many benefits that come naturally through the Social Farm work. The purpose of this thesis is to consider Social Farming in its multiple manifestations and the various benefits. The research questions of the thesis are: What is Social Farming? What kind of benefits can it give its participants and the enterprises offering Social Farming? What can we as a society learn from Social Farming? What is the situation of Social Farming in Europe and in particular, in Iceland? How can Social Farming be supported and developed further in Iceland, for the benefit of individuals, social groups and society as a whole? The main conclusion of the thesis is that Social Farming is already an established practice in Europe in general and in Iceland. Participants, farmers, social enterprises and the society at large all benefit from the meaningful work that Social Farming involves. Many vulnerable groups, in particular, benefit from Social Farming, for example in terms of improved mental and physical health. Still Social Farming doesn’t receive enough governmental support. It needs greater acceptance, publicity work, networking and empirical research to proof its benefits.