Datenbank der Projekte zur ländlichen Entwicklung

Use of RDP measure 331 (training and information) to improve the quality of 'care farming' provided in the Flemish Province of Limburg through the provision of training for farmers who are managing care farms.

The Flemish Support Centre for Green Care (‘Steunpunt Groene Zorg’) has existed since January 2004 and aims to promote 'green care' / 'care farming' (the integration of care for a broad range of vulnerable social groups with agriculture or horticulture) in Flanders. An important focus of the Support Centre is upon both expanding and improving the quality of 'care farming' activities.

The specific objective of this project was to improve the quality of 'green care' provided in the Flemish Province of Limburg through the provision of training for farmers who are managing 'care farms'.

Training topics included the exchange of experience on issues ranging from administration to dealing with several mental problems; an introduction to a new Quality Guide for Care Workers, and; how to promote green care as “social farming ambassadors”.

The training courses have a) greatly enhanced the general quality of green care provided by farms in Limburg and b) enhanced the ability of individual farmers to deal with new situations and challenges that they may be confronted during the day-to-day management of their 'care farm'.

Training of farmers is essential to secure the provision of high quality care for clients. This training should ideally be part of the on-going development and promotion of the 'green care' concept in Flanders.

Various locations in the Province of Limburg, Flanders

Prov. Limburg (B)

Flanders

33 890

6 608

15 240

11 862

Hilde Wexckhuysen (Limburg)

hweckhuysen@kvlv.be

+32 16 244922

English, Dutch