Farmers Register Now and Open Your Gates For Open Farm Sunday

Open Farm Sunday is one of our favourite days of the year. Who doesn’t love a day out at a farm to see how other farmers work?

According to the hosts, the number of farmers already committed to hosting LEAF Open Farm Sunday events is up 10 per cent on this time last year. Three hundred farms from Jersey to Shetland are set to open their gates on the 9th June to give the public a first-hand insight into farming. 

The national organisers, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are encouraging more farmers to seize this opportunity to connect with the consumer and build loyalty and support for the British farming industry.

Of the 362 farms which hosted a LEAF Open Farm Sunday event last year, 26 per cent did so for the first time – the highest number to date. These farms encompassed all types of farm enterprise – arable, livestock and dairy through to horticulture.

Farmers interested in opening for LEAF Open Farm Sunday on 9^thJune 2019 can find out more and register at www.farmsunday.org. Once registered, farmers receive a handbook and free resources.

Members of the public can also visit the website to find out which farms in their area are open for visits.

We are lucky that there are always quite a lot in our area and we have visited a different farm every year.

I still haven’t persuaded my farmer to do it but I am working on it. It is such a great way to connect the general public with farms, farmers and food.

Events can be as simple as a farm walk for a small group to larger open days.

There is also the opportunity to showcase produce and hopefully get people talking about farming having experienced it first hand. 

For more information, visit www.farmsunday.org.