£120,000 social farming grants announced in Northern Ireland

More than £120,000 has been awarded to 15 social farms across Northern Ireland after the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) announced its 2025-26 capital grant scheme to improve facilities for participants.

The grants made under the Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme range from £1,000 to £10,000, and are designed to help farms adapt facilities and improve accessibility, with the aim of enhancing participant experiences and supporting the development of social farm enterprises.

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Daera minister Andrew Muir confirmed that, for 2025-2026, more than £120,000 has been allocated to farms already involved in, or planning to deliver, social farming initiatives.

Mr Muir said: “Support for developing social farming through the Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme is an extremely good fit within my department’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework, with the scheme benefiting some of the most disadvantaged in society.”

He described social farming as “a creative and inclusive approach to agriculture that supports therapy, rehabilitation, and social inclusion”, noting that it offers an alternative to traditional day services in a non-clinical, supportive environment.

“The benefits to the many participants availing weekly of social farming opportunities include enhanced mood, increased motivation and confidence, development of practical skills, improved physical health, and stronger social connections.”

The scheme is delivered by Daera, with the Social Farming Support Service provided by Rural Support since 2015.

Since 2016, capital grants totalling £235,000 have been awarded to improve facilities and accessibility at social farms.