Open Farm Sunday – 12 June 2011
Farmers are being encouraged to open their gates next June for Open Farm Sunday (12 June 2011). This is a fantastic opportunity for farmers to show consumers how they produce the food we eat and manage our countryside. Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), Open Farm Sunday helps the public discover and understand the story behind their food, and the dedication and skill of the farmers who produce it, while caring for the environment. With so much to experience on every farm, this year’s theme is: ’Discover Life on Britain’s Farms’.
Last year 184,000 visitors attended events on 420 farms and LEAF is calling on even more farms to open up this year. Caroline Drummond, LEAF Chief Executive said: "We’re keen for farmers to help us build on last year’s success. For most people this is one day in the year when visitors can discover what really happens on your farm. For farmers themselves, LEAF research shows that 80% of those that took part last year identified a real business benefit."
The range of events farmers organise is huge - from farm walks for a handful of people from the local community, through to full fun-packed family days for over 500 visitors. In fact, the size and scale of an Open Farm Sunday event is entirely at the discretion of the host farmer, and whatever they feel is most appropriate for them and their farm.
LEAF offers farmers lots of free support in many different ways to help them run a successful event, whatever its size. Support includes:
Workshops: These are free to attend and will take place across the UK during March. Farmers will be able to meet with other farmers who have hosted open days before and learn from their experiences, as well as get great ideas and advice on a whole range of topics
A resource pack: This contains publicity material (posters, flyers, etc); suggested activities; Health and Safety guidance and lots more!
Website (www.farmsunday.org): Farmers can register their event, watch the Online Workshop video, order free resource packs and find out more about Open Farm Sunday, LEAF and the LEAF Marque.
Caroline Drummond added: "Open Farm Sunday is now the industry open day. With the support of the industry and the participating farmers we hope this year will be the biggest yet. If you can’t open up yourself, then you can still get involved by linking up with your nearest participating farm - last year more than 6,000 people across the farming industry helped make it happen."
This will be the sixth Open Farm Sunday and over 450 farms across the country, from Cheshire to Cornwall, Flintshire to Fife and Norfolk to Northumberland, are expected to open.
For up-to-date campaign information and to let us know about your plans for Open Farm Sunday, follow us on Twitter - twitter.com/openfarmsunday.
