Why has weekend farming flourished during the pandemic?

Did you set up a vegetable garden in your backyard during the lockdown? You aren’t alone. Among other changes, the COVID-19 pandemic has popularised home gardening and weekend farming. .

A pandemic isn't only a clinical phenomenon. It influences people, causes stress and anxiety, creates interruptions and changes a society in more ways than one.Due to the stress of the pandemic and lack of social gathering, many have been unable to indulge in activities that used to keep them happy and healthy.

Changing family relationships, the push pull of intimacy, the unprecedented demands of parenthood, the unequal burden of COVID-19 are some of the consequences of the pandemic. Holding on to positivity has become one of the most crucial challenges that the population is trying to tackle.

Many people are finding it difficult to connect with their loved ones even within the four walls of their homes. The crazy work from home schedules has blurred the gap between work and home. For children, online classes have increased screen stress.

In addition to all this, there is reduced social interaction, lack of access to green spaces and playgrounds, and no community events. Each of these is known to negatively impact family well-being outside the context of a pandemic.

As a result, people have started looking out for activities that they can pursue not only as a hobby but also as a long term solution for safe social activities that gives them a break from the routine. In this inevitable search, urban farming has emerged as one of the most productive and sought after activities.

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Reconnecting with nature

We all thought the pandemic might end in a few weeks or few months. Unfortunately , it has lasted for more than 1.5 years and counting. COVID-19 has shown us the dark side of modern living – from working overtime at our jobs, the pollution and hassles of city life, to paying expensive rent and high expenditures.

Most of us want an escape from our everyday busy schedules. Weekend farming has emerged as the much needed escape. There are many stories of people who have taken up farming during the pandemic.

In my own experience, I have seen a number of people who have had an opportunity to visit a farm, spend time with nature, connect with loved ones and involve themselves in different facets of farming.

Farming not only enables people to experience nature, but also helps in creating self sustainable food forests.

Psychological wellness

In the middle of our busy schedules, many of us dream of having that perfect weekend getaway, a farmhouse in the lap of nature, a chance to grow your own food, and experience open blue skies. Farming gives you that option. An option to disconnect from the chaos of city life.

Growing interest in farmlands

Owning a farm is a tedious and time consuming job that requires dedication and understanding about the intricacies of agriculture.

Managing farmland and indulging in farming while balancing a work life is almost next to impossible. To cater to the increasing interest in farming and farmlands, a number of professional players now offer managed farmlands that offer hassle free farm management. Buy farmland, select your crops, monitor it through an app and enjoy weekend farming or weekend getaways at the farm.

Those who invest in the farmland get to enjoy their own produce, participate in indoor and outdoor activities, camping, bonfire, reading pods, cycling tracks and much more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a chance to rethink our urban green spaces. For those of us who live in concrete jungles, farming gives us respite from the hassles of city life. Simple things like growing one’s own food, spending time in a farm, soaking in the sun and spending quality time amid nature can have a significant positive impact on life.