Farmers urged to sign up now for Open Farm Sunday
As Open Farm Sunday moves closer, organisers LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are reminding farmers to get involved and help welcome our millionth visitor on the 17th June. Online registration for Open Farm Sunday is now open at www.farmsunday.org and almost 200 farms have already signed up.
LEAF research shows that 80% of farmers who took part last year reported real business benefits including: increased sales; better community relations; raised local profile; building staff morale, and gaining new contacts.
Caroline Drummond, LEAF Chief Executive said: “We’re delighted with the response so far and the fact that around 30% of registrants are farmers opening for the first time. Since 2006 over three-quarters of a million people have visited a farm on Open Farm Sunday – and this year we hope to welcome the millionth visitor. So many of our famers are passionate about the work they do and enjoy helping the public understand British food production and modern farming methods This isn’t possible every day so Open Farm Sunday provide a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together. We’ve so much planned this year – including new sponsors, resources and workshops, alongside the first national farm pollinator survey – that we want to encourage as many farmers as possible to get involved. ”
Farms of every size and type can open – it’s up to the farmer to decide how big or small the event is. To help prepare for Open Farm Sunday LEAF have organised a series of workshops taking place across the country, run by Open Farm Sunday’s team of Regional Co-ordinators. The first round of these took place in February with more than 120 attendees and a further round is scheduled for May. Topics cover ideas for visitor activities, how to get your message across to the public, through to health and safety. All events are free to attend and take place as follows:
| Date | Venue | Address | Postcode | Region |
| Tues 01 May | Williamwood Farm | Lockerbie, Dumfrieshire | DG11 3LN | North East & Cumbria |
| Wed 02 May | Beaudesert Park Farm | Horsey Lane, Upper Longdon, Rugeley, Staffs | WS15 4LN | West Midlands |
| Thurs 03 May | J B Shropshire & Sons | Hainey Farm, Barway, Ely, Cambs | CB7 5TZ | East of England |
| Fri 04 May | Balliefurth Farm | Grantown-on-Spey, Highlands | PH26 3NH | Scotland |
| Tues 08 May | Trinley Estate | Finkley, Andover, Hants | SP11 6AH | South East |
| Tues 08 May | Molescroft Grange Farm | Grange Way, Beverley, East Yorkshire | HU17 9FS | Yorkshire & Humber |
| Tues 08 May | Whetstone Pastures Farm | Whetstone Gorse Lane, Whetstone, Leics | East Midlands | |
| Wed 09 May | Rushywood Farm | Haselbury Plucknett, Crewkerne, Somerset | TA18 7PH | South West |
| Thurs 10 May | Swillington Organic Farm | Garden Cottage, Swillington, Leeds, West Yorkshire | LS26 8QA | Yorkshire & Humber |
| Mon 14 May | New Laund Farm | Whitewell, Clitheroe, Lancs | BB7 3BN | North West |
| Tues 15 May | Court Farm | Llanthony, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire | NP7 7NN | Wales |
For full details and to book a place at a workshop visit http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs12/open/workshops.eb
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