Research on Care Farms
Extensive research confirms that nature-based care interventions significantly improve cognitive, physical, and emotional wellbeing for individuals with complex care needs.
Cognitive Functioning
Research suggests care-farm programs can increase cognitive functioning and slow cognitive decline by combining purposeful activity, outdoor time, and supportive routine.
Increase cognitive functioning
Slow cognitive decline
Physical Activity
Care-farm participation can enhance physical activity, encourage movement, and help reduce fall incidents through regular time outdoors and meaningful hands-on tasks.
Emotional and Social Wellbeing
Research also points to emotional and social benefits. Care-farm programs may promote psychological wellbeing, reduce depression, stress, and agitation, and decrease social isolation while increasing belonging and satisfaction.
Promote emotional wellbeing
Increase belonging and satisfaction
Why the evidence matters
For families, research helps show that meaningful outdoor programming is more than a nice extra. For organizations, funders, and future care farm leaders, it helps explain why time outdoors, purposeful activity, and supportive social environments matter.
Green Care Farms maintains a research summary to support families, partners, and future care-farm leaders who want to understand the evidence behind the model.