Care Farms of the Netherlands

David Heine's documentary offers an overview of an innovative program mixing agriculture with social services care. Since 1988 the government of the Netherlands has been financing a “care farm” program that enables individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns to be employed on small farms. The rural environment, with its fresh air and abundance of domesticated animals, appears to have a therapeutic value, and the film shows how these farms encourage teamwork, build self-esteem, and develop skills that lead to both physical and emotional strengthening in participants, who range from young autistic children to elderly Alzheimer patients. Care farms also build a degree of agricultural self-reliance within the Netherlands, as farm owners are paid with funds previously designated for daycare centers that essentially warehoused people. The success of the Dutch example has been noticed across Europe, inspiring other countries on the continent to create their own programs. However, the film notes that the U.S. appears to be more focused on the development of pharmaceutical strategies, which often lead to more problems than solutions. Of course, there is also a significant cultural difference between the progressive Dutch government and its bureaucratic American counterparts, so it seems unlikely that Washington will quickly move to embrace this low-cost, farm-friendly program. Serving up an intriguing look at a promising approach to one aspect of healthcare, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)