Designing for Therapeutic Care Farms

The research examines therapeutic care farms, which use farming activities to provide mental health support, rehabilitation, and social care for vulnerable populations, including individuals with mental illnesses, disabilities, and substance abuse disorders. While care farming is widely practiced in Europe, it remains underdeveloped in North America. This study develops design guidelines for landscape architects based on interviews with care farm professionals and a review of therapeutic landscape literature. Key design elements include community gathering spaces, private retreat areas, flexible work environments, and sensory-rich landscapes that encourage engagement with nature.

Findings highlight the importance of accessible, inclusive designs that balance safety with freedom, offering spaces that promote independence while providing therapeutic structure. The thesis emphasizes biophilic design principles, such as integrating water features, seasonally adaptive vegetation, and sheltered seating, to enhance emotional well-being. Additionally, it recommends involving stakeholders, including caregivers, therapists, and participants, in the design process to create spaces tailored to individual needs. The study calls for further research and investment in multifunctional agricultural landscapes that support both food production and therapeutic interventions.

Freeman, T. (2019). Designing for therapeutic care farms (pp. 1–68) [Master’s Thesis, The University of Guelph].