Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG as the successful tenderer under the 2025 Social Farming Network competitive tendering process.

Funding of €900,000 is being made available for 2025 to fund the provision of supports for a national social farming network.

Minister Heydon has also extended four contracts supporting social farming model projects for 2025/26.

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Funding is being provided under the rural innovation and development fund (RIDF) to the following projects:

  • Down Syndrome Irl (Cork Branch).
  • South Kerry Development Partnership.
  • IRD Duhallow.
  • Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG.
  • Social farming is the practice where farmers, on a voluntary basis, allow participants onto their farm to participate in farming and horticultural activities.

    The majority of the participants are users of disability and mental health services.

    Other participants have also gotten involved from at-risk youth programmes, homelessness services, educational programmes and eldercare services.

    Minister Heydon said: “Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG are experienced service providers who have the capability and vision to develop and implement a tailored work programme in support of social farming at national level”.