In addition to other benefits, environment schemes have mental health benefits.
Agri-environment schemes, like the scheme called ACRES, are a familiar part of modern farming. These schemes promote initiatives that farmers are grant aided to undertake to enhance their local environment. The four key focus areas for support are biodiversity, climate change and air quality, water quality, and habitat preservation.
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is Ireland’s flagship €1.5 billion agri-environmental scheme under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027, aiming to support up to 50,000 farmers in improving biodiversity, climate, and water quality. ACRES offers up to €7,311 per year via general or co-operation approaches, featuring results-based payments for specific environmental outcomes.
Such schemes are obviously good for the environment, but, in a time of increasing uncertainty about the sustainability of some agricultural enterprise due to climate, economic, and policy pressures, are they good for the farmers’ stress levels? An answer to that question was sought by recent research project led by a team from Trinity College Dublin.
The study found that agri-environment schemes can impact the mental health and wellbeing of farmers, and that that impact can be positive or negative depending on how those schemes are designed and delivered.
On the positive side, many farmers involved in agri-environment schemes experienced mental health benefits by reconnecting with nature.
Farmers took pride in visible environmental improvements on their land, increased biodiversity, and healthier landscapes giving them a real sense of purpose and satisfaction by connecting with nature while bringing a sense of calm and achievement that contrasted with the usual pressures of farming.
Despite these positives, the study found that isolation and social disconnection remain persistent issues for farmers. Many farmers work alone, feel disconnected from peers, and lack spaces to talk openly about the pressures they face.
Across the research, peer discussion groups stood out as one of the most effective ways agri-environment schemes can deliver mental health benefits. Where schemes included regular group meetings, farmers were more likely to feel supported, confident, and less isolated. While the target of discussion groups may have been educational, the benefit was therapeutic.