Leitrim rural organisation's big win at RDS Foundation Awards

Leitrim-based rural organisation, Social Farming Ireland has received an impressive accolade at this year's RDS Foundation Awards. 

Social Farming Ireland, which is based in Drumshanbo and has a national network of over 200 farmers, took home the Sustainable Rural Social Impact Award.

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The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) announced the award winners of the RDS Foundation Awards, during a ceremony which took place at the RDS Concert Hall on April 16th as part of the Finding Common Ground Festival. 

Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, Brian Smyth, Social Farming National Project Manager, Leitrim Development Company, said that they have spent "20 years developing the concept and have moved it from a concept to a pilot and development phase and it's in an expansion phase at the minute. We now have 200 farmers around the country that are taking people out onto their farms."

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He said Social Farming is beneficial in a number of different ways. "In terms of economic development, the model we use is that farmers are paid for the support they provide so it's rural economic diversification for farmers and that brings in money. It also creates inclusion in rural areas and the main beneficiaries are people who are excluded for one reason or another; disabled people, people recovering from mental health issues, older people (those who have dementia etc.) young people who may not be fitting into school or are in the youth justice system as well asylum seekers and refugees."

He said those who take part benefit in different ways. "A migrant might want to understand the Irish culture and learn some English or jfor someone with a disability, it's a social interaction; somebody coming out of the justice system may want to look at training and skills development or go for a job. So, it brings social inclusion to rural communities and has benefits for those who visit the farms and the farmers themselves and for communities."

Mr Smyth added: "Many disabled people go to day services so rather than doing that, they can access a local farm in their own community and become part of community in that way."

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Mr Smyth stressed that the award is for everyone who has contributed to the project. "It's a collaborative project and national project and we run it out of Drumshanbo. There are 13 people working on the project and we have people spread around the country as we operate it through six different hubs. So we have people support farmers in Donegal, Wexford, Cork right across the country. This award is for everyone who has contributed to the project and helped. We engage with disability services, mental health services, the HSE, schools etc. plus all our farmers of course and Teagasc. We are always looking for farmers to join up."