BACK TO CASE STUDIESThe Chance B Organic Farm has existed since 1989. The farm has seen various social services. At the moment, the services: “Accompaniment and Support” (day care for people with disabilities) and “Participation in Employment” (training on the job for people who are considered unable to work) are located on the farm and manage the farm hand in hand.
- Name and Surname: Elisabeth Grabner and Karoline Kreimer-Hartmann.
- Birth Year: 1970 and 1971.
- Gender: 2x female.
- Education: Various pedagogical trainings, university (biology) and project management.
- Address: Hinterberg 6, 8200 Gleisdorf, Austria.
- Farm Area (in ha): 3,99 ha (hectare).
- Since: 1989.
- No of workers: 10 10 (2-3 farm employees, 10 pedagogical staff) Number of participants: approx. 35.
Website and social networks accounts:
www.chanceb-gruppe.at
Farm general description
The organic farm is a small structured farm. The agriculture consists of a young plant cultivation, vegetable and herb cultivation as well as a berry field and orchards. From the primary production are made products.
Services
Two services work hand in hand at the farm: Accompaniment and Support provides day structures for people with support needs; Participation in Employment (TaB) provides job training for people who are considered unable to work. The service TaB is on the farm for a maximum of 3 days and assist the farm staff with daily tasks.
Activities
All people on the farm help with the activities that arise. Young plants are raised for resale, vegetables are grown in the foil tunnel and in the open field, the herb garden is looked after. Weeding, mowing and haymaking are done, wood is cut in the forest and finally the harvest is done.
Products
In spring the young plants are sold. The harvested plants are further processed: from the berries jam is made, from the herbs salts and teas are made, from the vegetables various products such as ketchup, Ajvar, Letscho, basil pesto and the like are made.
Social Farm Manager Role
The manager creates the framework conditions so that the cooperation works well. S/he takes care of facility management, agricultural subsidies, product distribution.
Social Farm Tutor Role
The tutor has the role of pedagogical direction or coordinator between the manager and the pedagogical staff: together with the farm manager, the procedures and activities in the farm are discussed and with the pedagogical staff the implementation is worked out with the aim of a good development for the participants.
Relationships with Social/Health Services
In this case, the social service is the owner of the farm. It is the employer and finances the farm.
Relationships with families
The aim of the pedagogical work is also to involve the family. Regular meetings and round tables are held on special occasions. Parents and families are also involved in certain festivities and celebrations. They are also supported in their dealings with the authorities.
Relationships with Social Agriculture Networks
Chance B has been a member of Green Care for three years.
Vision
The vision of the farm is to promote development. With the help of the activities and tasks on a farm, the awareness of cause and effect should be brought close. Working in and with nature has a positive influence on many people. Through the production and sale of products, an appreciation of their own work and contact with the “outside” is promoted.
Development plan
In recent years, the interplay between agricultural activities and educational challenges has been refined again and again. The focus is always on the participant/customer. Agriculture is a means to an end. In the future, even more attention will be paid to educational opportunities in agriculture.
Suggestions for managing a social farm
To be open to all eventualities.
