Care farming
- a green care
approach
Care farming, also known as social farming, is one form of
therapeutic approach identified under the umbrella of green
care. Green care utilises strategies that focus on and engage
with ecotherapy, eco-education, therapeutic horticulture, care
farming, wilderness, and nature therapy.
Care farming is defined as the use of commercial farms and
agricultural landscapes to promote physical and mental health
(Hine, Peacock and Pretty, 2008).
All care farms offer elements
of ‘farming’ in varying degrees and these could be via crops,
livestock, horticulture, use of machinery or woodland/land
management. Care farm provision varies greatly from one farm
to another. the UK has approximately 250 care farms, which
provide an estimated 9,000 places per week across the UK.
Who are care farms for?
• Anyone with a defined need can receive benefits from a care
farm.
Care farms most frequently provide services for:
• People with mental health difficulties
• Young people excluded from school or receiving
alternative provision
• Adults, young people or children with learning disabilities or
with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Ex-service personnel with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)
• People living with dementia
• People with drug or alcohol addiction/history
Care farming services
can offer:
• Health care, social care,
or specialist education
services for those identified
as being from one or more
vulnerable groups
• Programmes of farming-related activities for
individuals with an
identified need
• Supervised, structured and
bespoke care provision and
services on a regular basis
for their users
• Services for adults, young
adults, and children
Over recent years, there has
been a growth in research
identifying the benefits of care
farming. General benefits have
been identified as the powerful
mix of being in nature and
being part of a bigger group,
taking part in meaningful
farming activities.
The research
has generally looked at
specific population groups and
identified the benefits for these
populations, however when
looking at the individual results,
you are often able to identify
positive outcomes that are
common to all groups:
• Improved physical, mental,
and emotional health
• Increased self-confidence,
self-worth, and self-esteem
• Friendship formation,
improved social skills, and
reduced social isolation
There are also several different
theories that support the use
of care farming:
1. Salutogenic theory - This
explores the factors that
promote and maintain
health and well-being,
shifting the focus from
what causes illness and
disease (pathogenesis), to
understanding what makes
people healthy.
2. Self-efficacy - This is
based on social cognitive
theory, which identifies a
continuous relationship
between a person’s
thoughts, actions, and their
environment. In therapy, the
aim is to help individuals
improve their selfperception and behaviour,
by enhancing their self-belief, self-esteem, and
sense of control.
3. Therapeutic landscapes
and green care - Research
in this area has identified
that particular landscapes
or environments promote
health and wellbeing.
4. Jungian psychology
- A way of understanding
human nature that
doesn’t focus too much on
predetermined outcomes.
Instead, it emphasises
the deeper significance of
our experiences. Jungian
metapsychology gives
meaning to connections
that aren’t simply cause and-effect and it recognises
connections between the
psyche/our inner thoughts
and the external world. Jung
refers to events occurring
at the same time as ‘acts of
creation in time’.
Ultimately these theories
connect with the therapeutic
power of care farms and
their ability to improve
challenging or harmful life
situations/occurrences, by
offering people a temporary
site of respite/refuge and
the opportunity to develop
new skills, friendships,
and resilience, recognising
that contact with nature is
inherently good for you.
The farm animal’s impact
Throughout human history,
people have owned
domesticated livestock and
many farmers show affection
for their animals. Some of the
first animal-assisted therapy
programmes utilised farm
animals in the ninth century, a
therapeutic programme using
farm animals was established
in Gheel, Belgium.
Farm animals can facilitate
important life lessons such as
self-worth, responsibility, and
how to care for other living
beings. The skills involved in
animal care are transferable
and adaptable to other
humans and pets within that
person’s life.
Have you heard of…
Goat yoga combines the
joy of yoga with the playful
presence of adorable goats.
During these sessions,
goats freely roam among
the class. Picture a goat
perched on your back or
gently investigating your ear
as you strike a pose. The goal
is to create a light-hearted
atmosphere, encouraging
smiles, laughter, and a
memorable time for
all involved.
Goat yoga can…
• Provide a relaxation
response – human-animal
interactions promote
the release of serotonin,
prolactin and oxytocin
(happy hormones)
• Lower anxiety and
increase relaxation
• Provide comfort and
connection
• Reduce feelings of loneliness
• Provide mental stimulation
• Offer escapism and a happy
distraction
• Encourage therapeutic
processes and interventions
• Be FUN!!!
Cow cuddling is a unique
and beneficial activity
that involves meditating
and embracing cows.
This
interaction allows cows to
provide reassurance and fill
people with love, temporarily
alleviating their worries.
Studies have shown that
cow cuddling promotes
positivity by harnessing the
calming effects of a cow’s
slower heartbeat, warmer
body temperature, and
large size. This cuddling
process induces a soothing
experience for humans by
enhancing the secretion
of oxytocin, the hormone
released during social
bonding. Farms providing
cow cuddling may also offer
cow brushing and walking.
Care farming for those
with autism spectrum
disorder (ASD)
ASD is the umbrella term
given for all of the four
former types of autism:
ASD, Asperger’s syndrome,
childhood disintegrative
disorder and pervasive
developmental disorder-not
otherwise specified. Many
care farms incorporate animals, recognising the
profound impact of the
human-animal bond on
the behaviour of children
with ASD. By fostering
communication between
individuals and animals,
this bond effectively
reduces anxiety and
offers opportunities for
improved social interactions.
Engaging with animals not
only promotes feelings of
safety, entertainment, and
comfort but also facilitates
the development of
affection. Ultimately, forming
relationships with animals
helps individuals build
connections with others and
alleviate the symptoms of ASD.
Jenny Phillips joined our team for the latest episode of POD-CACHE, sharing her passion for farm therapy and animals. Listen now on your favourite podcast platform to find out how Jenny's love of animals presents in her work with children in Early Years and SEND settings.
This article was first published in the summer issue of CACHE Alumni's quarterly member magazine, Aluminate. CACHE Alumni members get access to a range of benefits which include Aluminate, video resources, e-learning, events and lifestyle discounts through our member benefits scheme, CACHE-Back. Membership starts at zero cost, with fully funded memberships available because of our relationship with NCFE. Sign up today to get immediate access to our full range of benefits and resources.