Record breaking year for Open Farm Sunday

Engaging the public with food and farming is one of the key building blocks of sustainable farming. And it’s why LEAF has organised Open Farm Sunday for the last 8 years.
Over 365 farms all over the UK opened their gates for this year’s Open Farm Sunday (9th June) and initial estimates indicate that they welcomed over 200, 000 people. We’re overwhelmed each year by the number of visitors that experience farming on this one day, and it’s all down to the farmers who take part – well done to all of them!

For some visitors it was their first time on a farm or even the countryside. But we hope this one day helped inspire and nurture a greater understanding of how food is grown, its links with nature and a greater appreciation of the role we all play in ensuring a more sustainable food production system for all.

These are just a few of the comments we’ve received from visitors about what they learnt from their visit:

‘The role of environment strips – amazing!’
‘Managing hedgerows and fences and how bales of hay are wrapped for silage’

‘How important farms are to all of us’

‘The attention and care in which the farmer takes to create wildlife habitats’

‘The importance of streams and ponds near farm land’

‘How much they do for the local community and that their quality produce is used in local school meals – really wonderful!’

It’s fantastic to see the impact that Open Farm Sunday

events are having. If you went along to an Open Farm Sunday event, we would love to hear from you and please do send in your photos for a chance to win a £100 Asda voucher. Finally, next year’s Open Farm Sunday will take place on the 8th June 2014 so put the date in your diary now!