The EESC is urging the European Commission and Member States to provide long-term support for social farming—an approach that combines agriculture with training, employment, therapy and social inclusion. 

In its opinion on Social farming as a tool for innovation in agriculture, adopted at its September plenary, the EESC called for social farming to be recognised as an agricultural innovation that provides responses to local social and health needs.  

The EESC recommends stable cross-sector funding, easier access to support, less red tape and an EU framework ensuring the quality of social farming goods and services. It also underlines the need for fair wages, safe working conditions, training and practical impact measurement. 

Social farms combine agriculture with measures to help people enter and thrive in the labour market, education and training.

'Social farming brings agriculture, health and personal development together. It offers practical help to people and strengthens rural communities,' said rapporteur Roman Haken, calling for stable support instead of short-term projects.

During the EESC plenary debate with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen, the 2026 EU Organic Awards showcased how innovative farming can support food security, social inclusion, nature and viable rural communities. Danish winners Hans Erik Jørgensen and Kirsten Krunderup Rasmussen described how their farm creates opportunities for people facing barriers to the labour market, including Ukrainian refugees. (ks)