Care farming provides an interesting context of multifunctional agriculture where farmers face the challenge of having to bridge the gap between agriculture and healthcare and acquire new customers, partners and financial resources from the care sector. We compared different entry strategies of different types of care farmers: varying in weak and strong multi-functionality, the degree of legitimacy and background of the initiator. Our objective is to provide insight into the key factors contributing to the development and success of care farms, in particular by focusing on the role of entrepreneurship, commitment and the ability to cope with barriers in the environment. We developed a framework based on entrepreneurship and opportunity structure. We interviewed different types of care farmers. Many of them were farmers' spouses with prior experience in the care sector. Entrepreneurship and the local and national opportunity structure, like (changes in) financing regulations, interact and explain the accessibility and growth potential of care farms. Pioneers in the emerging care farming sector faced a lack of cognitive and sociopolitical legitimacy and a mismatch with incumbent financing structures. Initially, they only succeeded with sufficient levels of entrepreneurial behavior and commitment. Having a professional background and network in the care sector was helpful in the starting phase. Later entrants experienced more legitimacy and fewer barriers as financing regulations had changed. They had different entry options: being independent or under supervision of a care organization or a regional support organization of care farms. For this latter option, newcomer problems were solved by established care organizations. However, there was a risk of becoming too dependent on established care organizations. Initiatives with weak multi-functionality failed more often than initiatives with strong multifunctionality due to unrealistic expectations and limited commitment on the part of initiators.

Jan Hassink

Willem Hulsink

John Grin

Journal of Rural Studies

The Journal of Rural Studies publishes research articles relating to such rural issues as society, demography, housing, employment, transport, services, land-use, recreation, agriculture and conservation. The focus is on those areas encompassing extensive land-use, with small-scale and diffuse settlement patterns and communities linked into the surrounding landscape and milieux. Particular emphasis will be given to aspects of planning policy and management. The journal is international and interdisciplinary in scope and content.

The Journal of Rural Studies publishes research articles related to rural issues such as society, demographics, housing, employment, transport, services, land use, recreation, agriculture, and conservation. The journal focuses on areas characterized by extensive land use, small-scale and dispersed settlement patterns, and communities connected to the surrounding landscape and environment. Particular emphasis is placed on aspects of planning policy and management. The journal is international and interdisciplinary in scope and content.

《Journal of Rural Studies》期刊发表与农村相关的研究文章，涵盖社会、人口、住房、就业、交通、服务、土地利用、休闲、农业和保护等议题。期刊重点关注广泛的土地利用领域，涉及小规模和分散的居住模式，以及与周围景观和环境相连的社区。特别强调规划政策和管理的各个方面。该期刊具有国际性和跨学科的特点。

Category	Quartile
社会学	1
社会学, 地理学	2
社会学, 区域与城市规划	2

Entrepreneurship in agriculture and healthcare: Different entry strategies of care farmers

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
REGIONAL & URBAN PLANNING	1