Positive reaction to open farms

FARMERS who invite the public on to their farms are having a lasting positive impact, a new survey has revealed, with nearly 90 per cent of visitors saying it has changed the way they think about farming.

This is 12 per cent up on last year, according to a survey of visitors to LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) Open Farm Sunday events in 2018.

Collected by LEAF, the charity which promotes sustainable food and farming and manages the campaign, the figures show that 92 per cent of people said they appre- ciated more the work farmers do, after visiting a farm.

In 2018, 26 per cent of farmers who took part in Open Farm Sunday did so for the first time – the highest number to date.

Annabel Shackleton, LEAF Open Farm Sunday manager, said: “These figures show just how powerful it is when farmers open their farms to the public. There is a high level of interest in food production but unfortunately we have seen a lot of misinformation about farming in the media.”

The survey also found that 86 per cent felt more connected to the farmers who produced their food, and 78 per cent said they were now more proactively looking to buy British food.

Ms Shackleton added: “When farmers engage with the public, people can see for themselves the care and attention to detail that goes into growing quality, nutritious crops and the high levels of animal welfare. LEAF Open Farm Sunday is positively changing public perceptions of our industry.”

For more Open Farm Sunday details, visit www.farmsunday.org.