The Fox under the mulberry trees. A small experience of social farming

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1 The Fox under the mulberry trees A small experience of social farming

2 Social farming it has always existed. In the traditional farm everyone had his own place. Mutual aid and solidariety are an ancient attitude in farming: there s always been room for everyone in the field work. Social farming combines the multifunctional aspect of agricultural activities to the well - being of the local community and to actions in support of disadvantaged people

3 The cornerstones of social farming o Multifunctional enterprise o Centrality of the agricultural production process o Environmental sustainability o The promotion and implementation of local development o Social inclusion and integration o integration of agricultural policies and welfare

4 The social farming... a new model of welfare that may be able to become a strength in putting together two historically weak sectors such as agriculture and social needs

5 Social farming acts as a developing agent for.

6 the local community, as the activation of relational goods markets contributes to the production of social capital: it increases the level of quality of life and promotes the development of the local area; the agricultural sector, since the opportunities for business diversification from social farming lead to factors of growth and competitiveness; social, health and educational services, that find in agriculture a space for sharing and integration between the different public policies, in order to raise the levels of efficiency and effectiveness and pursue the community s general interest through the citizens human promotion and social integration.

7 Encouraging the development of social farming for public institutions is a social interest not only ethical but also economic. To invest in social farming produces a cost optimization because it empowers people through work: from being a cost being a resource. (Final document of the Research on social farming drawn up by the Agriculture Commission of the Chamber of Deputies - July 4, 2012)

8 The Fox under the mulberry trees The history of a shared process

9 The Fox under the mulberry trees The history of a shared process The municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento, thanks to a legacy, owns a land and a farmhouse where it installs a greenhouse to start activities for the rehabilitation of young drug addicts. STK: a municipality, the health and social services Outcomes: none

10 the first important evolutionary step At the end of 2008 a new project starts: the health service installs a second greenhouse and a prefabricated house. Structures are entrusted to a social co-operative with the purpose of gainful employment of disadvantaged (ex-patients of psychiatric institutes,those undergoing psychiatric treatment) through the activity of vegetable and floricolture. STK: Leonardo consortium, 3 municipalities, the health and social services, 5 social co-operatives, 6 local farms, the Outcome: 6 working members (three of them disadvantaged), 20 disadvantaged people

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12 the project has extended its vision q It promotes rehabilitative and work integration achieved through farming q It organizes training modules and courses of observation and evaluation aimed to the social and occupational integration q It organizes trainings about awareness and development of social responsibility of the community q It increases the social safety net q It builds a new model of agricultural and economical development starting from the multifunctionality of agriculture

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14 the second important evolutionary step The Fox under the mulberry trees gets a significant funding from the Province of Pordenone with the Provincial Fund for Employment of the Disabled It s the chance to expand employment opportunities for young people with disabilities, but also to experience a new model of agricultural and economical development through the multifunctionality of agriculture STK: Leonardo consortium, 3 municipalities, the health and social services, 6 social co-operatives, 12 local farms, 2 educational institution, the Province of Pordenone, 1 union, 1 association of relatives of psychiatric patients, 1 voluntary association, 1 foundation, the Caritas, 6 primary schools, 2 solidarity buying groups Outcome: 12 working members (6 of them disadvantaged), 35 disadvantaged people

15 The chain is complete The garden of Torrate The Fox The kitchen of Fratte Day center for disabled Community services Sowing Plants production Production of vegetables and flowers in greenhouse Job training Educational farm Social farm for young disabled Production of vegetables Training course on agriculture Handicraft workshops Job training Meals preparing Lunchroom Catering Job training Day center for young disabled Meals preparing Lunchroom Catering Different services for disadvantaged people Woods and parks Vegetables distibution to needy Emptying attics Teaching garden, community garden

16 the partners experience reciprocity and gift knowledge sharing (safety, renewable energy, horticulture, ) development and testing new projects aimed at sustainability starting from the needs of the partners network sharing space, equipment and know-how to further strengthen the partnership relationship between the stk and optimize the economical and instrumental resources joint purchasing to get better prices chain organization for work placement of disadvantaged people

17 Good work!