•This unit presents some indications on the operating methods for organizing social farming initiatives: in particular, the methods for choosing objectives, training activities, the safety and the methods for involving disadvantaged people will be described.

In the planning phase, it is important set objectives to be achieved through social farming projects

Objectives can involve:

• Physical area
• Skills area
• Psychic area
• Relational / behavioral area

For further details about horticultural activities and therapeutic objectives refer Righetto C. “ Giardini per rivivere: orticoltura e giardinaggio a fini terapeutici in contesti sanitari”, p. 196-201

• Physical Area: coordination of movements, development of physical strength, balance control
• Skill Area: calculation skills, reading, organization skills, programming, following instructions, memory development;
• Psychological area: anxiety reduction, stress, acceptance of failure, self-control;
• Relational/behavioral area: socialization, impulse control, mood improvement, establishing new relations communication skills.

The choice of the activities to be carried out must be in line with the objectives to be achieved considering the relational area and the skills.

The observation made by the tutor and by the company contact person during the activities is fundamental for a continuous adaptation of the activities to the needs of the people involved.

The characteristics of the activities to be carried out:

modularity: designed with modules, reproducible and adaptable to the changing needs of the people involved and of the company.

coherent with the personal abilities of the subject.

not too simple, but without requiring an effort above the user's possibilities.

gradual difficulty to avoid the sense of frustration

The characteristics of the activities to be carried out:

stimulating by providing commitment and fostering self-confidence.

with an established duration (start - end)

significant: performing activities perceived as useful increases the sense of satisfaction and appreciation for the results achieved.

It is possible to create a program on a weekly / monthly / annual basis with the involvement of all the participants.

An effective program should be continuous, lasting and it must provide:

- activities that succeed one another

- mutually linked projects

This facilitates personal growth and avoids the sense of confusion given by randomly managing events.

The purpose of the program  (except in vocational program) is:

the involvement and to encourage users to expand themselves

avoinding placing too much value on the end product of an activity

The organization and the structure of the activity space must be based on the needs and abilities of those served. This precautions allow the users to access  the space and to partecipate to the activities.

It's necessary to carry   out   specific   risk   assessments: the farm must be ready to host people without any experiences of an agricultural context

A model of safety precautions in horticulture

Haller R.L., Capra .L.C. (2017) Horticultural Therapy Methods: Connecting People and Plants in Health Care,CRC Press, p.33.

In Italy the current legislation about safety of workers is the Legislative Decree N° 81 of 30 April 2008.

https://tinyurl.com/ydgy78ld

For futher details about safety of workers in agriculture:

“Protecting health and safety of workers in agriculture, livestock farming, horticulture and forestry”, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2011.

https://tinyurl.com/yc96l56o

The insurance

Verify that the current farm insurance fully cover the agricultural entrepreneur for taking on social farming clients.

Evaluate the possibility to expand the current farm insurance cover.

Initial training allows people to participate in the activities and to be aware of that will be carried out.

It may be partly theoretical and partly practical "in the field".

It should also include the contractual and workplace safety regulations.

It is important that anyone present on the farm during social farming activities has been well briefed on health and safety procedures.

Topics for initial training

• presentation of the farm, the workplace and where take break
• the activities to be carried out
• the working hours, breaks and if required the mode of consumption of meals.
• how to use the tools
• how to use any personal protective equipment that people will need to use.
• the hygiene precautions especially before meals.
• the safety rules

Communications with people who have intellectual and learning difficulties may be difficult and require special measures to communicate the message.

It is necessary to explain slowly the message to give  the people time to understand, think and respond to what is been asked for them.

It's important not to put the person in difficulty if the message is not understood properly, to apologize for not being clear and repeat the explanation. 

It is important to follow with particular care the start phase of the project and the beginning of daily tasks.

It is useful to start gradually with simple and familiar activities to increase the sense of security, facilitate the first approach to work and interactions with others.

Later, more complex activities can be organized.

Examples of gradual activities

Use watering can of 1 L –  3 L –  until 5 L.

Experiment with different activities to identify the most suitable type  based on physical commitment

The purpose is not only to develop manual and cognitive skills but above all relational skills with the group and the operators, the assumption of responsibility and the spirit of initiative.