Open Farm Sunday - get involved!
Open Farm Sunday June 13th, 2010 - get involved!
Farmers up and down the UK are being encouraged to take past in this year's Open Farm Sunday on June 13th. A number of workshops to help prepare host farmers will take place in March, and LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) , which organises Open Farm Sunday, believes the event will be even bigger and better than 2009.
"We're keen for farmers to help us build on last year's success by organising a farm open day on June 13th, 2010," says Open Farm Sunday manager Tom Allen-Stevens. "This is one day in the year when you can give visitors to your farm a real insight into how their food is produced and how the countryside around them is cared for."
LEAF offers farmers lots of free support in many different ways to help them run a successful event. This includes:
- A resource pack: this contains publicity material (posters, flyers etc); suggested activities; Health and Safety guidance; polo shirts and lots more!
- Workshops: these are free to attend and there are 21 taking place on farms across the UK during March (dates and venues below). Farmers will be able to meet with other farmers who have hosted open days before and learn from their experiences, as well as get great ideas and advice on a whole range of topics
- Website: This is where you register your event, order your free resource pack or find out more about Open Farm Sunday. www.farmsunday.org .
| Date | Region | Venue |
| Tue 09 March | West Midlands | Devereux Wootton, Norton Canon, Hereford, HR4 8QH |
| Thur 25 March | West Midlands | Shawcroft Farm, Wootton, Ashbourne, DE6 2GW |
Open Farm Sunday (OFS) helps people understand the true story and value behind their food, and the dedication and skill of farmers who produce it. As Mr Allen-Stevens explains: "There are real buiness benefits, too, for those farmers who host events: it can help you improve sales, learn new marketing skills, and build staff morale and sense of pride. You can gain new contacts, or simply improve relationships with your local community."
LEAF has also introduced ten regional coordinators for the first time this year. These are farmers and strong OFS supporters who will be organising workshops and providing support at a regional level as well as helping to increase the success of Open Farm Sunday for everyone.
Mr Allen-Stevens says: "So if you've never hosted an event before, visit www.farmsunday.org, find out more and book a place on one of the workshops - 40% of host farmers in 2009 were first-timers, so you'll be in good company. And if you have hosted an event before, you'll know just how rewarding it can be. LEAF would really like you to take part again in 2010. So whether you are a first timer or an 'old-hand' - the website is now live and ready for you to register and order your free pack. OS 2009 was a fantastic success, with 425 farms across the UK opening their gates to around 140,000 visitors and we are sure that 2010 will be even better!"
To find out more about Open Farm Sunday and to book a place on a workshop, please visit www.farmsunday.org, telephone LEAF on 02476 413911, or email pauline.wood@leafuk.org.
