Doon Social Farm is a 33 acre organic farm which provides therapeutic services to people in society who are experiencing social isolation, particularly young people. The farm was inspired by the success of Social Farms in Holland and the United Kingdom which have proven successful in addressing the causes of isolation/exclusion along with offering choice and removing barriers to education for young people in the area.
Social Farming, also known as green care, or care farming, is an emerging form of social enterprise that uses a farm environment to deliver health and education benefits to participants. It is defined in Di Iacocca & O Connor (2009) as: “Farming practices aimed at promoting disadvantaged people’s rehabilitation, education and care”
This farms offers horticultural education through a Local Training Initiative and short day and evening courses delivered through Community Education. Traditional Social Farming is also offered to promote social care; rehabilitation and a range of health and well-being outcomes. This farm environment also offers a very diverse range of activities and opportunities to schools and groups and develops innovative activity-based programs for participants.
The Farm Shop sells a range of organic produce from eggs, salads, vegetables to fruit.
Social Farm Participants Include Early school leavers, people who are not employed or in education, people recovering from drug and alcohol misuse, young offenders, people with various disabilities, people with mental health issues, marginalised youths and young people who may have an interest in gaining knowledge about farming.
Upcoming Courses
Our course will guide you through all the knowledge and practical skills you need to be able to sow, plant, maintain and care for plants, at home in your own garden or as a commercial enterprise. The course takes place on the farm so you can immerse yourself in the natural environment, practice and apply skills as you learn. We offer all our course participants opportunities to consider and prepare for a career in this area. If you would like more information or find out how to register for this exciting programme please contact Maura (Course Leader) on 087 2474843 / 061 380808 or alternatively, email lticoord@ballyhourars.org.
Looking forward to seeing you on the farm!
The care of animals, the raising of crops, and the potential for maintenance projects are just some of the rich opportunities provided by Social Farming models. Biodiversity and sustainable development goals are key to our practice on our organic farm. Mainstreaming biodiversity into education and learning is one of the key priorities for UNESCO’s. They see how biodiversity education can bring sustainable practices in and to shape new ways of seeing the world, to be able to see new practices and develop behaviours. The farm offers a series of practical farm tasks, working with animals and biodiversity education.
The Social Farm looks to address the causes of isolation/exclusion, and barriers to education for individuals and groups. Our social farm, (also known as Care/Green Farming) is a social enterprise that uses a farm environment to deliver health and educational benefits to participants. It is defined in Di Iacovo and O’Connor, (2009) as: “…Farming practices aimed at promoting disadvantaged people’s rehabilitation, education and care” This multifunctional use of farms has been introduced from grass roots level offering opportunities such as: education; social care; rehabilitation; and a range of health and well- being outcomes.
Please contact us by clicking the Register Now button if you need any further information. We look forward to seeing you on the farm!
The care of animals, the raising of crops, and the potential for maintenance projects are just some of the rich opportunities provided by Social Farming models. Biodiversity and sustainable development goals are key to our practice on our organic farm. Mainstreaming biodiversity into education and learning is one of the key priorities for UNESCO’s. They see how biodiversity education can bring sustainable practices in and to shape new ways of seeing the world, to be able to see new practices and develop behaviours. The farm offers a series of practical farm tasks, working with animals and biodiversity education.
The Social Farm looks to address the causes of isolation/exclusion, and barriers to education for individuals and groups. Our social farm, (also known as Care/Green Farming) is a social enterprise that uses a farm environment to deliver health and educational benefits to participants. It is defined in Di Iacovo and O’Connor, (2009) as: “…Farming practices aimed at promoting disadvantaged people’s rehabilitation, education and care” This multifunctional use of farms has been introduced from grass roots level offering opportunities such as: education; social care; rehabilitation; and a range of health and well- being outcomes.
Please contact us by clicking the Register Now button if you need any further information. We look forward to seeing you on the farm!
Doon Social Farm
Main Street
Doon
Co. Limerick
V94 12T0
Telephone: 061-380808
Email: admin@ballyhourars.org or manager@ballyhourars.org
Careers
The farm currently has the following vacancies. See what positions are available.
Volunteers
The farm offers a range of volunteering opportunities from farm work/planting, educational supports, social care, work experience and administration through to retail sales in our Farm Shop. Click here to register your interest.
Corporate Social Responsibility
We are actively seeking to work with business in the Limerick area who are looking to take part in philanthropic causes and provide positive social value for their employees. We feel through the farm there is a real opportunity to make a difference for employees and help build positive brand image around supporting the work on Doon Social Farm. If you are interested in this area please contact Tom Kent on 0870564369 or email manager@ballyhourars.org
Resources
LTI Autumn 2021 Flyer – Download Here
Gifts and Donations
Doon Social Farm welcome financial donations as well as items such as;
- Farm tools and equipment
- Fencing
- Gardening tools
- Safety and outdoor equipment such as boots, wellies and rain-gear
If you would like to make a donation, please contact us by phone 061380808/ email manager@ballyhourars.org or click the Donate Now button below.