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Care Farming UK Conference . Jane King Editor Farmers Weekly. Agenda . My first impressions How to mainstream care farming within the agricultural industry Importance of profile and the media Conclusions. First impressions. The opportunity is huge
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Care Farming UK Conference Jane King Editor Farmers Weekly
Agenda • My first impressions • How to mainstream care farming within the agricultural industry • Importance of profile and the media • Conclusions
First impressions • The opportunity is huge • Image amongst farmers is “fluffy” & misunderstood – seen as charity not a business. • Farmers need practical help to get engaged • What’s the strategy and vision? • How good are your relationships and partnerships? • Perfect time now to campaign • Impact & influence will improve if media presence stepped up
Farming isembracing change • Big pressures to produce more with less • Farm profitability still an issue for many • Less dependency on subsidies • Large country estates looking for new purpose • Global market pressures/increased volatility • Transparency and connecting with consumers key • Head versus heart decision making • Many farm biz want to stay in the game but must think outside the box • Multifunctional agriculture becoming more widely accepted
Building bridges • Need to communicate to farmers your vision • Help industry understand the opportunity • Provide practical help to getting started • Engaging with nature: a valuable asset for those in need • Experienced care farmers as “mentors” • Show the different biz models/types of funding • Highlight importance of core farming/not just social care on its own • Sell the benefits • Evidence that it works for those in need and for farmers
Building partnerships • Key farming organisations • Government, NHS, social care, police, probation, charities • Corporate businesses
Using the media to have real impact and influence • What’s the communications strategy?
Conclusions • A quiet evolution going on • Could be one of the most exciting developments in health and social care – greening of services is coming • Desperate need for imaginative solutions • Ecotherapy - farms as retreats has enormous potential (scale of UK mental health problem) • Needs to be higher up everyone’s agenda – farming, NHS, social care, police, probation and government.