Farm safety is a constant concern for those working the land, and as more and more farm families open up their land to farm walks, open days and social farming programmes, the need to be vigilant is ever present.
A new initiative, the Health Safety and Wellbeing Project 2026, has been launched by Social Farming Ireland in conjunction wiht the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to support farmers and those who come on to their farms to stay safe.
Launched by Niall Collins, Minister of State for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture at Noel Murphy’s farm in Crecora, Co Limerick, the project is supported by Leitrim Development Company and West Limerick Resources.
Ten online health and safety training sessions and six on-farm training sessions will be offered to farmers over the coming months, as part of the initiative which will be complemented with an advisory booklet, ‘How to have safe open days and events on farms’.
The booklet will provide comprehensive guidance for social farmers on managing health and safety to protect disabled people, people with limited mobility, and other vulnerable groups, such as people with varied language capabilities visiting, living, or working on social farms.
Real connections
Brian Smyth, national social farming network manager believes that with the growing number of people coming on to farms through social farming, the project will make sure that all steps are taken to make practices on farm safer for everyone.
Noel, who branched into social farming in 2022 after almost 40 years as a dairy farmer, says farm safety was all about limiting the risk, regardless of who was coming into a yard or on to land.
“Health and safety comes down to common sense, particularly in respect of the groups you host as a social farmer, in terms of what you expose people to and what they are able for,” he explains.
“There is danger on every farm regardless of what you do. I no longer have a tractor, so the risk of machinery, thankfully, isn’t something I need to consider. But the statistics surrounding farm fatalities involving machinery are frightening. Farm safety is everyone’s responsibilty and being aware of the dangers is the most important part.
“I have a group coming to me in September that I’m hoping to do something with in one of my sheds. We call it the ‘town hall’ as it’s a pretty big space and has lots of potential so even identifying what can be done indoors, in a safe environment is something that farmers who are interested in social farming could consider.”
Noel has supported people on his farm from various services such as Saint Joseph’s Foundation in Killmallock, Liskennet and Bruff, Enable Limerick, HSE CAMHS, HSE Adult Mental Health Services, TUSLA and Redhill Co-ed Special School – as part of NCSE Transitions pilot programme.
“I never believed I had the skillset to work with people with disabilities but to see the difference a farm visit makes, where you can offer vulnerable people a totally different environment from what they’re used to, proves that the work I do here makes a difference,” he explains.
“There was a lot of red tape to get through to get up and running, and I understand the need for regulation but it was frustrating and it took time to build my confidence. I’ve hosted two groups every week for the past six months and the varied work different groups can do here is based on their interests and abilities.
“The most important part of it all is coming in for a cup of tea and a chat, that’s where you find the real connections and it’s not just with the service users or the students. The relationship you build with their carers is equally important.
“There is a growing awareness of the value and potential of social farming and I’d recommend it to any farmer, regardless of age. So many farmers are still milking cows into their 70s because they have no successor and they don’t know any other way of life.
“It’s not for everyone but it definitely would suit a lot of farmers who are struggling to figure out their long-term future.”
“My three children are grown and have no interest in farming so I took the decision to sell off some of my land and invest that in building up social farming. And it couldn’t have worked out better.”
Minister Collins praised the role social farming played in helping vulnerable members of rural communities, but added that the safety aspect of farm visits had to be enhanced for everyone’s benefit.
“Social farming makes an important contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. I am confident that this project will help social farmers protect the safety and health of everyone working, visiting and living on social farms across the country.
“We must avail of every opportunity to promote risk awareness, so farmers are no longer willing to take chances with their health and safety. It is not acceptable for farmers to ignore safety in an effort to get work completed. While investing in facilities and equipment is important for making our farms safer, behavioural change is critical if farms are to become safe places to work and live”.
Minister Collins also commended Social Farming Ireland’s work at the launch in facilitating placements through the National Network Project, funded by the Department of Agriculture.
Risk mitigation measures
“Led by Leitrim Development Company and collaborating with West Limerick Resources, Waterford LEADER Partnership and South West Mayo Development Company, Social Farming Ireland is making a real difference to people’s physical and mental health and social connectivity,” he added.
“Having visited a number of social farms and social farming events, I am really impressed by the work and opportunities provided. Social farming offers people new outlets, fresh perspectives and activities which are essential for personal development and supporting mental health.”
Under the new Health Safety and Wellbeing Project, training sessions will cover farm health and safety risks, practical risk-mitigation measures, and encourage open discussion on identifying and managing potential hazards associated with farm open days and events.
The older you get the harder it is to try something new and the age profile of most social farmers is over 50, which is still a lot younger than the average age of a farmer
The programme has been developed by a steering committee involving representatives from the Health Safety Authority, farmers both male and female, advocates for disabled people and those with mental health issues and a social farming participant.
Jim Dockery of Towra Livestock, who will facilitate the training, says it will be relatable for all those taking part.
“The real learning is done in the practical walk around the farm and attending training with other farmers. Having Minister Collins here to launch this programme is a sure sign of the importance which he and the Government places on supporting efforts to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing,” he says.
Noel says he hopes people will avail of the training, which he says will provide a valuable insight into the social farming model.
“I’ve worked with Jim before and I know how good he is at this sort of thing, so I would like to think this project will be a success,” he adds.
“The older you get the harder it is to try something new and the age profile of most social farmers is over 50, which is still a lot younger than the average age of a farmer. I suppose it comes down to how motivated people are to seek out something new, but it has definitely been one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
The six on-farm training sessions will take place throughout August and September in Johnstown, Co Kildare; Rathcormac, Co Cork; Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; Ballinlough, Co Roscommon; Athenry, Co Galway and Mountnugent, Co Cavan. Places are free but booking is essential.
Farmers interested in general farm safety, and health and safety for open days and events are encouraged to register early by calling (071) 9641772. Further information on these events and the online sessions can be found at socialfarmingireland.ie.
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