Duchess of Edinburgh applauds Open Farm Sunday hosts
HRH Duchess of Edinburg at the event for OFS farmer hosts © Leaf The Duchess of Edinburgh has praised Open Farm Sunday (OFS) host farmers for helping bring urban and rural communities closer together, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the event next weekend (7 June).
Speaking at a visit to an event for farmer hosts at Waitrose’s Leckford Estate in Hampshire on Thursday 28 May, she said OFS event supporters help demystify the business of food production and said it would be lovely to see more farmers join the 270 participating this year.
“It’s about understanding that food does not grow inside a plastic container and that when [consumers] go to shops to buy it or when it lands on their plate they have a greater understanding and appreciation of where it has come from,” she said.
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“Unfortunately, I think there’s been such a disconnect over the years between people having access to understanding and learning about food [and] events like Open Farm Sunday help create those connections.”
OFS is promoted by the charity Linking Environment and Farming (Leaf), of which the Duchess of Edinburgh is honorary president.
Leaf also runs the Leaf Marque farm assurance scheme and the Leaf Network, made up of research centres and demonstration farms to promote integrated farm management.
More than 3.5m people have visited a working farm during OFS since its inception in 2006.
Leaf chairman Philip Wynn said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Duchess of Edinburgh for helping us show our appreciation for the farmers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who make Open Farm Sunday possible. Â
 “For 20 years, the industry’s annual open day has helped bring people closer to farming, food production and the countryside.
“It is the dedication of host farmers across the UK who welcome their communities and share their stories that has made it such a trusted and much-loved national event.”
Farmers wishing to support their local event can find a list of participating farmers on the OFS website.