Are you interested in finding out more about care farming or sharing your experiences?

Would you like to network with others, share experiences and make lasting connections?

Care farming – also known as ‘social farming’ – promotes mental and physical health through giving people the opportunity to spend time working on the land. Those who can benefit include people with learning difficulties, work-related stress, mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems or employability challenges. Care farming is a partnership between land manager, service provider and client. Participants can work on traditional farms or in forestry, horticulture and other land management activities.

The Scottish National Rural Network is working in partnership with Care Farming Scotland to bring this networking opportunity to those interested in the opportunities care farming offers, including those who work on the land or who delivers or commission services.

What will the event involve?

This event aims to provide the opportunity for anyone with an interest in care farming to meet up and share information and ideas. You will hear about the successes and challenges of care farming across the UK, and to hear presentations from people who are making it work in Scotland. In the afternoon delegates can to take part in workshop sessions focusing on practical ideas to make care farming work better in Scotland. There will be plenty of opportunity to make new contacts, connections and even friends!

Speakers will include Rev Dr Gordon Gatward OBE of Care Farming UK and Caroline Matheson of Farm to Work Ltd at Ballicherry Farm in the Black Isle. The event will be chaired by John Ross CBE, Chairman of Care Farming Scotland and former president of NFU Scotland.

Outline Programme

10.30am               Arrival and registration with tea and coffee

11am                     Welcome and introductory remarks

                                John Ross CBE, Care Farming Scotland

11.15am               The growth and development of care farming in the UK                                Rev Dr Gordon Gatward OBE, Care Farming UK

11.35am               Case study presentations (subject to change and confirmation)

12.20pm               Video and presentation on Rural Network Project Visit to Easter Anguston Farm

                                Belinda Rowlands and others

12.45pm               Panel Q & A

                                Opportunity to put questions to the morning’s speakers

1pm                       Networking Lunch

2pm                       Care farming in Scotland – what next?

                                Caroline Matheson, Farm to Work – Ballicherry Farm

2.20pm                 Workshops

                                Topic: A five point plan for care farming in Scotland

3.10pm                 Brief feedback of key points from the workshops

3.25pm                 Chair’s closing remarks

3.30pm                 Close