Challenges and Perspectives of Social Farming in North-Eastern Italy: The Farmers’ View

In the European framework of multifunctional agriculture, Social Farming (SF) has constantly been spreading. Italy, these practices are legally connected to Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), creating new perspectives and challenges for farmers their territories. this paper, we report results a pilot study conducted in Veneto Region understand farmers’ opinions about opportunities SF AAI. Participants were convened by Italian trade organization Coldiretti. All them provide social/healthcare services on farms, including human–animal interaction, have attended regional training courses providers. Data collected during two focus groups that videotaped subsequently analyzed researchers categorize dope out relevant topics. Results show mismatch between what is stated national laws current situation reported farmers. They faced with many economic as well barriers relationship traditional healthcare services. However, strong motivation believe benefits AAI offer society rural urban areas.