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Take part in Open Farm Sunday

Open Farm SundayThis Sunday, 1 June hundreds of farmers across the country will be opening their gates to the public and we’re encouraging everyone to get involved!

Open Farm Sunday, organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone – young and old – to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside.

Open Farm Sunday is a great day out for families, ramblers, birdwatchers and school children alike, to learn more about where our food comes from, and the work farmers do. By protecting the environment and nurturing the wildlife it supports; and protecting water, soil and air quality, farmers are ensuring the continuity of supply of wholesome food.

LEAF farmers are committed to a sustainable system of agriculture which meets the economic needs of farmers, addresses the concerns of consumers and minimises any impact on the environment.

Minister for Rural Affairs, Jonathan Shaw, and Natural England’s deputy chair and Defra non-executive director, Poul Christensen, will take part in the celebrations with a visit Douglas Wanstall’s Bank Farm, which has been a LEAF Demonstration Farm for the past six years; showing that modern, sustainable agriculture can be carried out in harmony with the environment.

At Bank Farm, Jonathan Shaw will also launch the celebrations marking 21 years of agri-environment schemes. The schemes reward farmers for adopting environmentally beneficial farming practices which help to preserve traditional rural landscapes.

To find out more about Open Farm Sunday visit www.farmsunday.org.

Page published: 29 May 2008