Farmers registering events for Open Farm Sunday

Over 200 farms have already signed up to take part in Open Farm Sunday, which this year is on 7 June.

The initiative is a massive open day for the farming industry co-ordinated by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF).

The idea is that farmers open their gates to give visitors greater understanding about the job they do and to enable them to explore the links between food and nature at their local farm.

This year will be the fourth year OFS has run it and the theme will be “Care about your food? We do!”.

Farmers who have opened their gates in the past say it has been immensely satisfying and also brought PR benefits to their business.

Ian Waller, LEAF Demonstration Farmer and the 2008 winner of Farmers Weekly‘s Countryside Farmer of the Year award, first took part in Open Farm Sunday in 2006.

This year he’s hoping to get about 500 visitors come along to his 486ha arable farm near Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

“Farming has been through a tough time over the past few years, so getting involved in Open Farm Sunday is all about doing something positive for the industry I love,” he said.

“Talking to the public about how we grow their food and care for the environment and wildlife on the farm, is a fantastic privilege.”

To find out more visit the Open Farm Sunday website.