You do not need to be a member of LEAF to take part, but you do need to register your event at www.farmsunday.org.
Reasons to get involved
Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity to engage your local community, share your farming story, bust any myths about farming and give visitors a positive and memorable experience.
Visitors to your farm will learn first-hand how farmers are committed to sustainability, biodiversity, animal welfare, and managing the countryside.
Prior to the pandemic, over 350 farmers and landowners opened their farms across Britain, with over 250,000 visitors attending.
Offering something unique
Each farm can offer something unique based on the farm’s individual story and your available resources and time. This can range from a simple self-guided walk to a large open day with trailer rides, demonstrations, and fun activities for children. Activities differ from farm to farm, and you may include: a farm walk, nature trail, tractor and trailer rides, demonstrations, pond dipping, activities for children, a mini farmers’ market, or a farm shop.
If you’re not able to open your farm on the day, perhaps you could attend, help with or promote another Open Farm Sunday event where you can.
Find your local farm participating at www.farmsunday.org.
Speaking about the event, LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday manager Annabel Shackleton said:
“Whether you host an event for 20 people or 200, the day is really rewarding, a great way to involve your local community and is hugely positive PR for British farming. A simple self-guided farm walk is all you need to offer, and LEAF has lots of free resources and top tips available to help with your planning.”
Members get free resources
Once registered, a range of free resources is available from LEAF for host farmers, including a handbook, activity crib sheets, template guides for risk assessments and writing a press release, and guidance on using an online ticketing service to manage visitor numbers.
NFU members can order or download member resources from NFU Online to add to your Open Farm Sunday visitor experience.
We’re offering NFU members a selection of educational resources for your Open Farm Sunday event, including activity booklets for children aged 4-12 and Back British Farming pencils and stickers. You can also order the latest issue of our Countryside magazine.
Place your order through our order form before Monday, 29 May.
Let us know how many visitors you expect, and we’ll send a selection of resources based on your numbers.