LEAF tours virtually like being down on the farm
Linking Environment And Farming, organisers of the farming industry’s annual open day, has organised a year-round programme of public engagement to support the flagship event.
For the first time two online farm open days will take place in spring and autumn alongside a programme of monthly live broadcasts running throughout the year.
The first LEAF Online Farm Sunday event on March 28 will include an afternoon of live virtual farm tours on Facebook @LEAFOpenFarmSunday site.
The event will feature a range of different farms spanning the country and shining a spotlight on all farming sectors.
In addition monthly farm visits broadcast live on Facebook feature a different farm on the first Sunday of each month adding to a kaleidoscope of farming stories shared with the general public.
The next broadcast is on Sunday March 7 via https:// www.facebook.com/LEAFopenfarmsunday/ link when you can enjoy a virtual tour of a UK farm.
“One of the unexpected positives to emerge from the challenges of lockdown has been the surge in interest in the countryside, nature and buying fresh produce.
“And we have seen a higher following than ever on our LEAF Open Farm Sunday digital channels,” said manager Annabel Shackleton.
“This is the perfect moment to capture the public’s curiosity and build our outreach to benefit the whole industry.”
While awaiting clarity on COVID regulations on public gatherings and events, Annabel is urging farmers to start thinking about how they can host visitors on-farm in June, which will be the 15th anniversary of LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
“As visitor numbers for events may be limited, we would love to see a greater number of farms opening their gates but for smaller groups, so that social distancing can be followed.
“We’re encouraging host farmers to think about how to maximise outdoor spaces.
“It could be a farm walk, a scavenger hunt or a short show-and-tell in the yard. It may also be an opportunity to collaborate with other food producers to provide a place for people to buy and try new local foods”.
Annabel added: “Farmers have some important topical messages to share about quality food production, caring for the countryside, plus the economic and environmental benefits of buying British and we want to help facilitate these conversations.”
Online events include a series of virtual farm visits designed to extend the opportunities for more people to connect with farming throughout the year and for more farmers to participate. The second Sunday open day is on June 13.
The event has seen more than a quarter of a million people annually visit farms
across the UK.
All these activities will promote a greater understanding of the different aspects of agriculture such as productive soils, animal welfare, clean water and air, public access and enhancing biodiversity.
These on-farm and online events are at the heart of the new LEAF Open Farm Sunday three-year strategy to ensure a positive impact on the whole farming industry and enrich the understanding of wider society to act as global citizens supporting climate positive farming and food production.
The main social media channels used across the campaign will be Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and LOFS – LEAF Open Farm Sunday – is asking farmers to post and share on these days using the hashtag #LOFS21 to create a picture of UK farming for the public.