Opinion: Open Farm Sunday matters more than ever before

As Leaf’s flagship public engagement event Open Farm Sunday approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, its role in shaping the nation’s understanding of sustainable farming, food production and the environment has never been more important.

What began as a simple invitation for the public to step through the farm gate, has grown into the UK’s most influential platform for connecting consumers with the realities of modern, sustainable agriculture.

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It has welcomed 3.5m visitors onto farm since 2006 and provides farmers, as well as retail partners and many others in the supply chain, the chance to showcase their values to the public.

If retailers are truly serious about public engagement, then Open Farm Sunday provides a unique opportunity for them to shout about their sustainable credentials and why farming with nature matters.

Opportunity

Next year’s milestone provides more than just cause for celebration; it offers a timely opportunity to deepen these connections and demonstrate how resilient, transparent and purpose-driven food systems can be built from the ground up.

That is why we were delighted to welcome so many industry leaders and Open Farm Sunday supporters at the official Open Farm Sunday launch event at The Farmers Club at the end of November.

The challenges facing agriculture, from climate pressures to shifting consumer expectations, cannot be solved in silos.

By bringing together the full spectrum of the food supply chain, Open Farm Sunday’s collaborative approach underscores a powerful message: resilient food systems are born not only from innovation in the field, but from meaningful engagement and shared responsibility at every step of the supply chain.

Last summer, 94% of Open Farm Sunday visitors left with a better understanding of farming with nature and 92% reported increased trust in British food and farming.

In an era where misinformation spreads quickly and food production remains distant for many, this farmgate transparency is invaluable.

Platform to celebrate

Shoppers increasingly want to know where their food has come from, how it has been grown and what standards it upholds.

Open Farm Sunday offers a platform to celebrate Leaf Marque certified farmers, as well as others, and help consumers understand the significance of choosing sustainably produced food and what that means on farm.

The continued evolution of Open Farm Sunday stands as a testament to the core values of our industry’s landmark event, with people, landscapes and the food we rely on at the heart of what we do.

The 20th anniversary is not only a moment to look back, but an opportunity to carry that legacy forward with renewed purpose.

We want to cultivate deeper, more enduring connections between farmers and the communities they feed, especially at a time when farming is in the national media spotlight for other reasons.

The past two decades have laid an extraordinary foundation, but the coming years will determine how effectively we translate engagement into collective action.

And whether you’re opening your farm for a full weekend, or for a few hours to a smaller group of people, the chance to engage and tell farming’s story is what really matters.

Open Farm Sunday is more than an annual event. It is a catalyst for change. Its 20th anniversary on 7 June 2026, invites us all to step forward, deepen our understanding and play an active part in shaping the future of more sustainable farming and food.