Country: Belgium
Wellbeing of Farmers: Physical Wellbeing, Mental Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing
Key Challenges: Lack of basic services, Lack or difficulties in accessing health services, Lack of specialist mental healthcare services, Low farm income (market vulnerability), Administrative burden
Key Target Groups: Young farmers, Female farmers, Older farmers
Farm Size: Small/Family, Medium, Large
Find Out More
Key contact: Els Verté
Email: els@boerenopeenkruispunt.be
Organization: Boeren op een Kruispunt (Farmers at a Crossroads)
Relevant Links:
Summary
This social innovation provides training to farm gatekeepers in order to detect certain problems in an early stage.
These farm gatekeepers signal a problem, as well as transferring a farmer to the right aid channels. These farm gatekeepers can also act as experts to solve certain problems in a structural manner
Objective
Tackling mental and economic/business problems in an early stage
Activities
Early warning, reference to relevant social services + acting as experts/expert advice
Main Outcome of the activity
Reduction of mental and business-related challenges in farming
Main Practical Recommendations
Farm gatekeepers serve as bridges connecting the farmer with relevant social services and expert advice
Key Stakeholders Involved
- Farmers
- Farm Gatekeepers
- Psychologists
- Farm Organization
Most Innovative Aspects of the Solution
Method of proactive outreaching social work wherein farmers are accessed on the actual farm site. Farmer does not have to take initiative her/himself