The Development of Sustainable Social Farming in Italy: A Case Studies Analysis

Abstract

Social Farming (SF) is a rising practice that offers various typologies of initiatives involving different actors. Peculiarities consist of the types of networks organized at the territorial level and in the innovation processes they implement. In this study, through a cross-case analysis, we take into account six Italian social farms as case studies, interviewing them to understand the activities provided and their organization with the aim of highlighting both the strengths and the criticalities that may limit possible further development of Social Farming in Italy. The results of the analysis pointed out the specificities of the services offered by the social farms and the points of view of the farmers in the sector. Reflecting on these cases in light of the innovation system theory, it was possible to understand both the innovation system in which they developed and the enabling and the limiting aspects for Social Farming initiatives, as well as to codify useful lessons regarding the future organization of sustainable Social Farming services.

“Mapping Out” Sustainable Social Farming Paths in Italian Municipalities

“…For example, the intense dialogue between the enterprises of Cluster 1, labelled Social farms established using a bottom-up model, and active local associations, incentivised by the new legislative measures, have facilitated the division and competence needed to organise SF activities. In fact, the results of the analysis, in agreement with Moruzzo et al (2022) [6], indicate that Italian municipalities have distinct experiences, according to the level of maturity of the SF in each cluster, with differences in location, the agricultural system, the organisational culture and the social services provided. Networking processes and the diverse levels of support and interest from universities, agricultural and SF organisations, policymakers and public institutions were also among the factors contributing to the differences between the enterprises included in the study.…”

“…In Italy, SF has developed gradually and in a heterogeneous manner in the country's municipalities. This is due to the heterogeneous Italian context [3], the increasing number of actors and vulnerable people involved in this work and to legislative measures [6]. In accordance with other scholars [4], these different development paths for SF offer many insights into the unique characteristics of enterprises that carry out social activities.…”

“…Social farming (SF) is both a traditional and an innovative activity for farmers [1,2]. It involves the use of agricultural resources for rehabilitation and social inclusion, depending on the local circumstances and the territorial specificities [3][4][5][6]. Social agriculture encapsulates a variety of responses to specific local problems and needs [7][8][9].…”

The Evolution of Multifunctional Agriculture in Italy

“…As pointed out by Marsden and van der Ploeg [9]: "sustainable rural development paradigm attempts to reintegrate agriculture as a multifunctional set of practices that have the potential to enhance the interrelationships between farms and people, both within rural areas and between rural and urban areas". Multifunctional activities are developed through a diversified set of strategies that retain various dimensions of sustainability, like economic [10,11], environmental [12,13], and social [14,15].…”