£130,000 funding boost for 18 Northern Ireland farms helping people with disabilities
Thursday 15 October 2026
Eighteen farms across Northern Ireland have been awarded more than £130,000 to improve facilities and accessibility for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, helping provide opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills and connect with others through everyday farming activities.
The funding, announced by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir, will support the development of social farming, an alternative to traditional day services that allows participants to take part in farm life in a supportive, non-clinical environment.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed that 18 eligible farms have received letters of offer under its 2026/27 Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme, with individual grants ranging from £1,000 to £10,000.
Farming opportunities making a difference
Social farming brings people who may face barriers to employment, social activities or community participation into working farm environments, where they can become involved in everyday agricultural tasks.
Unlike conventional day services, activities form part of the farm's normal routine, with farmers organising the work while allowing participants to help shape their involvement.
According to DAERA, 102 people currently benefit from social farming opportunities each week across Northern Ireland, with reported benefits including improved mood, motivation, confidence, physical health and stronger social connections.
Minister Muir said:
“The benefits to the 102 people availing weekly of Social Farming opportunities include enhanced mood, increased motivation and confidence, development of practical skills, improved physical health, and stronger social connections.
“Activities that are undertaken are part of the farm’s regular routine, structured by the farmer but shaped by participant input.”
Funding to improve accessibility and facilities
The latest grants are intended to help participating farms adapt their facilities, improve accessibility and create more suitable environments for people using social farming services.
Farmers already delivering social farming, as well as those planning to become involved, were eligible to apply for capital funding of between £1,000 and £10,000.
The investment forms part of DAERA's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework, which aims to address disadvantage and improve opportunities for people living in rural communities.
Announcing the awards, Minister Muir said:
“I am delighted to announce that 18 farms across Northern Ireland have received Letters of Offer awarding just over £130,000 to help them improve their facilities for the practice of social farming.”
He added:
“Support for developing Social Farming through the provision of the Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme is a perfect fit within DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework, with the scheme benefitting some of the most disadvantaged in society.
“Social Farming offers an alternative to traditional day services for individuals with disabilities and learning difficulties, where participants engage in everyday farming activities within a non-clinical, supportive setting.”
Long-term support for social farming
The latest awards build on an established programme of support for social farming across Northern Ireland.
Since 2016, the Social Farming Capital Grant Scheme has provided £355,000 to improve facilities, enhance accessibility and support the development of social farm enterprises, according to DAERA.
The Department also funds the Social Farming Support Service, which has been delivered since 2015 by Rural Support, a charity based in Cookstown.
The service helps develop social farming opportunities and provides information for farmers interested in becoming involved.
How farmers can get involved
Farmers interested in delivering social farming opportunities can find further information through Rural Support, which operates the Social Farming Support Service on behalf of DAERA.
Minister Muir said:
“I would encourage anyone interested in delivering Social Farming across Northern Ireland to visit the Rural Support website for more information.”
Further details are available at www.ruralsupport.org.uk.
Although DAERA has confirmed the number of successful farms and the overall funding awarded, the announcement does not identify the individual recipients or provide a breakdown of grants by council area.
For the 102 people already participating each week, social farming offers more than an opportunity to experience agricultural life. It provides a setting in which everyday tasks can help build independence, confidence and friendships, with the latest investment intended to make those opportunities more accessible.
