Hundreds of National Farmers’ Union (NFU) members are throwing open their farm gates as they join this year’s Open Farm Sunday, founded by LEAF.

Thousands of people are expected at some of the farming events across the country thanks to the success of LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday, which is now in its fourth year.

To mark the occasion, the NFU has relaunched its packs sent to farmers joining the event on Sunday, June 7. It is anticipated that thousands of campaign materials will be posted out, containing a redesigned children’s activity pack, grow-your-own salad seeds and stickers. This year something is also on offer for the grown-ups, with a chance to win a family pass to the National Trust.

Any host farmers wishing to get their hands on the materials should send their details and expected number of visitors to leafopenfarmsunday2009@nfu.org.uk by this Friday.

NFU Council communication’s spokesman Guy Smith will be joining LEAF for its launch event at a Buckinghamshire farm on Friday, June 5. He said: “It is great to see Open Farm Sunday now establishing itself as an annual event which gets wide support from across the industry. It proves the present generation of farmers has moved its image on from ‘get off my land’ to ‘welcome to my farm, I'm proud of what I do’.

“It is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate how farmers manage the countryside to produce, wholesome, affordable, food and to create a beautiful, bio-diverse environment.

“The NFU acknowledges the great work LEAF has done to bring this event to life and we are more than happy to add our shoulder to the wheel. It is good to see so many NFU members getting involved. Farmers aren’t the most natural show-offs but we have a great story to tell and a great setting to tell it in.

“Let’s hope Open Farm Sunday 2009 builds on and exceeds the success of previous years and continues to thrive in the future.”

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