Open Farm Sunday marks 20-year milestone

Open Farm Sunday celebrated its 20th anniversary on 7 June, with more than 280 farms across the UK welcoming visitors to learn about food production, farming and countryside stewardship.

Since launching in 2006, the initiative has welcomed millions of visitors, giving consumers the opportunity to see modern farming first-hand, ask questions and learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

The milestone comes at a time when food security, environmental management and sustainable food production are attracting growing public attention.

See also: Duchess of Edinburgh applauds Open Farm Sunday hosts

Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday (OFS) manager, said farming had changed significantly over the past two decades.

“The science and the technology involved in farming these days is just remarkable, and I just passionately want to share that with people,” she said.

“I’m absolutely delighted that it’s been going for 20 years, and long may it continue for the next 20.”

She said the growth of online ticketing had helped many farmers manage visitor numbers more effectively, while the events themselves had evolved from simple farm walks to, in some cases, large-scale attractions drawing thousands of people.

“I think it’s lovely the way that Open Farm Sunday is evolving, in that farmers are finding innovative and different ways to share their farming story and showcase the science and technology that’s involved, but what will continue over the next 20 years is ensuring that the story of British farming is at the heart of the day,” she said.

A different perspective

At Elms Farm near Costock, Nottinghamshire, about 2,000 visitors attended an event hosted by the Brown family.

The farm’s flock of 120 Shropshire sheep took centre stage, with live shearing demonstrations helping visitors understand wool production and sheep management.

© Jenna Timmis

Guests also enjoyed tractor rides, machinery displays, farm walks and local food stalls.

Oscar Brown, who hosted the event for the second year, said many visitors welcomed the opportunity to see parts of the farm normally inaccessible to the public.

“We don’t have any footpaths on the farm, so people see a different outlet of it. Seeing behind the scenes is a big thing that people like,” he said.

“We grow up with bales and tractors and equipment, whereas for the general public, that stuff is not an everyday thing, so even the simplest things people just love.”

Maintaining strong links

In Wales, NFU Cymru president Abi Reader welcomed more than 500 visitors to Goldsland Farm near Cardiff, where guests could learn about dairy, arable and horticultural production.

Having hosted OFS for a decade, Ms Reader said public interest in food production remained strong.

“Every year, people come, and they want to understand, and next year there’ll be a whole new generation coming along again,” she said.

© MAG/Anne Dunn

She stressed the importance of maintaining strong links between farmers and consumers.

“There’s no point saying it, you’ve got to do it, and it’s not easy, and it does take effort. But at the end of the day, these people are the ones who will keep us in business, and they deserve our respect, and they deserve our time, for one day a year.”

Among the visitors was Cardiff resident Lily Perriam, who attended for the first time.

“This event has to keep going to show people how farms work. It makes me feel better to see how well cared for the animals are,” she said.

Careers in agriculture

Gelli Aur College Farm near Golden Grove, Carmarthenshire, also welcomed visitors with dairy demonstrations, sheep shearing, livestock displays, engineering workshops and crop activities.

John Griffiths, head of research and development at Gelli Aur, said the event helped bridge the gap between farming and the public.

“We’re having so many families walk through the gate here, young children seeing pigs and sheep and cattle and machinery and all the allied industry associated with farming,” he said.

“The smile that you see from the young people, that really gives you the energy to keep on repeating it.”

© MAG/Anne Dunn

Liz Bowes, head of curriculum at the college, said the open day also highlighted the wide range of careers available within the sector.

“There are so many different avenues. Like business, you have finance, nutrition – there are so many different levels of employment that are available in agriculture,” she said.

The Jones family from Ammanford enjoyed the open day.

Vicky Jones said: “It was good to see all the other job roles and the machinery. The boys really enjoyed the farm simulator, the drone and the machinery was great. Seeing what’s involved from farm to table and all the equipment needed – it was great.”

Rhug Estate

Further north, hundreds of visitors attended Rhug Estate near Corwen, Denbighshire, where attractions included sheepdog demonstrations, tractor rides, farm walks and the estate’s well-known bison herd.

Estate owner Lord Newborough said the event offered an opportunity to strengthen connections between the public and agriculture.

“What matters most on a day like today is sharing this place with families, with the local community, and with anyone who is simply curious about the countryside.”