£130,000 grant boost for Northern Ireland social farms
Daera minister Andrew Muir pictured with members of Quarries farm who were successful Social Farming applicants © Daera Eighteen farms across Northern Ireland will share more than £130,000 in government funding to improve facilities and accessibility for social farming participants.
The funding, awarded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) 2026-27 Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme, will help farmers develop their social farming enterprises.
See also: NI farmers to receive first £15m SFIS offers
Social farming offers people with disabilities and learning difficulties opportunities to take part in everyday farm activities in a supportive environment, providing an alternative to traditional day services.
Grants ranging from £1,000 to £10,000 were available to existing and prospective social farmers to adapt buildings, improve accessibility and provide better facilities for participants.
Announcing the awards, Daera minister Andrew Muir highlighted the scheme’s role in tackling rural poverty and social isolation.
“Social farming offers an alternative to traditional day services for individuals with disabilities and learning difficulties, where participants engage in everyday farming activities within a non-clinical, supportive setting.”
Wider benefits
Currently, 102 people take part in social farming activities each week across Northern Ireland.
Mr Muir added that the benefits of social farming opportunities include “enhanced mood, increased motivation and confidence, development of practical skills, improved physical health and stronger social connections”.
Activities are based around normal farm routines, with farmers organising tasks while taking participants’ interests and abilities into account.
Daera delivers the capital grant scheme and funds the Social Farming Support Service, which has been provided by charity Rural Support since 2015.
Since 2016, the capital grant scheme has provided £355,000 to improve facilities, increase accessibility and support the development of social farming enterprises across Northern Ireland.
Farmers interested in becoming involved can find further information through Rural Support.
