Farmers urged to open their doors to the public

A call for more producers and growers to share farming’s story with the public has been made in the runup to this weekend’s open farm Sunday.

And while more than 250,000 visitors are expected to visit a farm over the weekend,theevent’sorganising body, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has called on more farmers to get along to one of the events which will be taking place on 350 farms around the country this Sunday.

LEAF wants to see farmers who have not hosted such an event to visit an open farm to see how it canbedone–andtogain the confidence to open their own farm to the public next year.

Annabel Shackleton, LEAF Open Farm Sunday manager, said that with Brexit and a radical review of farm policy currently under way, it was currently particularly important that the public were better able to understand and relate to many of the factors facing the industry:

She said: “At a time when we particularly need the public to understand and value all that farmers deliver, we are urging farmers who haven’t yet hosted an event to visit a farm this Sunday, to see what it’s all about and get inspired to take part next year.”

She said that LEAF Open Farm Sunday had proved an unbeatable way for farmers to engage with the public and share important messages:

“And we want more farmers and visitors to benefit from its success.”

Shackleton said that LEAF Open Farm Sunday was making a huge impact in driving forward public awareness and support of for the UK agricultural industry.

“Since the campaign first started in 2006, more than 1,600 farms have opened their gates welcoming in total over two million visitors. Last year, 91 per cent of visitors said they were more appreciative of the work farmers do and one in five had never visited a farm before.”

Colin Dawes, a regular host farmer, recommended that farmers considering organising an event next year should attend an open farm this weekend, whether as a visitor or volunteer.

He said: “It is a great way to pick up ideas and inspiration to run your own event next year. I was one of the first farmers to take part in 2006 and I continue to be involved as the day is so rewarding. The feedback from visitors is always positive and it’s such an effective way to market our industry.”