News

LEAF Celebrates Open Farm Sunday 2008 Success

LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is celebrating the success of its third successive Open Farm Sunday. Over 400 farmers across the country opened their farm gates to the public on Sunday 1 June 2008 to celebrate the annual event. Early reports from LEAF indicate that nearly 150,000 members of the public visited their local farms.

Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF credited the work of all those who organised and supported events across the country. ‘Once again, we are delighted by the support for Open Farm Sunday, from farmers and their helpers, to industry bodies and organisations. The campaign provides a platform for LEAF to both connect to consumers, and unite the agricultural industry in support of the initiative. The day provided a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about where their food comes from and the work farmers do. Events varied from large to small, and included a range of activities from farm walks and sheep shearing, to tractor and trailer rides and farm walks. Not forgetting the delicious fresh produce and picnics enjoyed by all.’

The campaign was once again supported by a wide range of high profile third party organisations, principal sponsors included the NFU (National Farmers’ Union), HGCA, Waitrose, RSPB, Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, CLAAS, Defra, Farmers Weekly, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, McDondald's, National Grid, Produce World and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Extensive national and regional media coverage helped to broadcast the 2008 event and encouraged consumers from across the country to get involved. Coverage included articles on BBC Breakfast and News 24, Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 2, GMTV, The Archers and eight national newspapers. The Open Farm Sunday website had 250,000 page requests during the lead up to the big day and 55,810 page requests on the launch day alone.

‘A great contributing factor in the success of this year’s campaign was the launch event at Hollow Trees Farm near Ipswich. New research released at the launch by LEAF and the University of Essex revealed that spending just a few hours visiting a farm could be an antidote for busy, stressed out lives. The research also showed that a trip to a farm brings people closer to nature as well as encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour. Local families were invited to the farm and taken on a farm walk to see, smell, feel and taste various aspects of farm life, in a range of activities supported by LEAF farmers and campaign supporters. The event really brought home that a day spent in the countryside is a day feeding the senses and a great way to really get in touch with the land that feeds us,’ said Caroline Drummond.

All over the country, visitors young and old were given the opportunity to find out more about farming in the 21st Century at their local farm. At Annables Farm in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, visitors to were treated to tractor and trailer rides, nature trails and a delicious spit roast. Families visiting College Farm, Cambridgeshire built scarecrows, and took farm tours and farm walks. Whilst those visiting Green Farm in Hellifield, Yorkshire enjoyed tours of a vintage farm display with tractors dating back to the 1940s, farm-to-plate talks and tastings, exhibitions and walks around the farm to see the Highfield Cattle up close.

Planning has already started for Open Farm Sunday 2009 which will take place on Sunday 7 June 2009! For further information or to find out how to get involved with Open Farm Sunday 2009, contact the LEAF office on 02476 413911 or visit www.farmsunday.org