Welcome to the latest Mad In Ireland Fields of Healing podcast episode. It seems fitting that as we move into the time of Imbolg the time when ewes are pregnant with their spring lambs, that we are speaking with Matthew Mc Greehan a sheep farmer, and how he has integrated Social Farming into his family’s organic farm. I realise when talking with Matthew that the ‘social’ in the faming programme is key and can incorporated anything from weaving folklore into the names and traverses of the landscape to popping in for a spot of lunch to the local community centre.
Social farming provides a deep connection to the land and the seasons. It increases self-esteem and improves health and well-being on many levels. The meaningful farm activities that allow people to participate in day-to-day farm activities are only one aspect of the experience. The beautiful scenery, trips in the jeep, social connections, home cooking, and family welcome add a different level of expertise that is unmatched by any other opportunity, in Matthews’s opinion. Another aspect of social farming is the interaction with the local farming community. Participants can feel at ease and become part of the community while they are out on their placement. It is a fantastic opportunity for people living in town settings like Dundalk, who usually wouldn’t have the chance to work outdoors and be in nature.
Social Farming in Ireland has the potential to grow, transform and support the well-being of many more people across the generations, from teenagers seeking to leave school to older adults. Matthew celebrated with social farming teenagers who reached important life milestones, and he recently had a lady participate in social farming on her 80th birthday. Social farming has been proven to be effective for participants across a range of services, including intellectual disability, mental health, physical disability, addiction services, asylum seekers, long-term unemployed and at-risk youths.
Step inside for a while and hear some of the wisdom Social Farmer Matthew Mc Greehan has to share about Social Farming and how it is a space for healing and growth.
Social farming has connected hundreds of farm families across Ireland since the first social farming pilot placements in 2013. It is a sustainable initiative unique to the farming systems in Ireland. Over the last 10 years, it has provided daily services to thousands of people, providing community connections and meaningful work-related needs in nature.
In 2011, The Social Farming Across Borders pilot project application was developed by Leitrim Development Company who secured EU funding to develop the concept. In 2014 20 farmers from the 12 border counties, north and south supported the placements on a voluntary basis. The pilot was managed by UCD’s School of Agriculture & Research and was supported by Queens University. The research documented the beneficial outcomes and helped secure long-term funding and a structure for the continuation of the service. More context and the research outcomes can be found here. https://youtu.be/mU_Cqi3sr5c?si=tDCv1PMnudcT8pt_
Working in nature, caring for animals and growing crops has long been considered therapeutic, and social farming is well established in countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, where farmers are paid for mentoring. Now, there are separate organisations supporting Social Farming North and South. After the pilot Social Farming Ireland https://www.socialfarmingireland.ie/ was established and two social farming support agencies Rural Support https://www.ruralsupport.org.uk/what-we-do/social-farming-northern-ireland/ and Social Farms & Gardens https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/northern-ireland.
The Interviewee
Matthew Mc Greehan has been sheep farming all his life in the Cooley Mountains, North Louth, Ireland. He farms a flock of Scottish black-faced sheep on mountain and lowland pastures in the scenic Glenmore Valley. He first became interested in the development of Social Farming through his involvement in the Irish Farmers Association in 2012. After completing the Social Farming Across Borders pilot project in 2014, he started weekly social farming placements in 2019. He has regular participants who visit continuously, as well as participants attending for shorter placements. Up to three participants attend the farm daily once a week for 10 – 15 weeks. People usually attend the farm between 10 am and 3 pm, with opportunities for refreshments & hospitality on arrival before the daily social farming routine. This is followed by a light lunch and afternoon farm activity before finishing up for the day. People get a chance to learn about sheep farming life this helps them feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction.
Matthew firmly believes in traditional hill sheep farming methods and practices organic farming. He believes Irish farms are a unique way to help people seek community connection and meaning in nature. He welcomes people from many services in Louth. He is non-judgemental and strives to create farm experiences that enhance the well-being of all participants. He also adapts the farm experience to suit the needs & interests of everyone who visits. He shares his knowledge of his ancestors, heritage, and cultural traditions in the Cooley Peninsula area. The stunning views of the area, from the mountains to the sea, enhance the whole experience.
Matthew also supports his local community in an initiative called Social Gardening, which supports growing food on a smaller scale and opens up small plots of land to nature, enabling communities and individuals to grow fruit and vegetables organically. More information growing for nature and growing social connections can be found here @cooleyconnectwell
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