Farmers up and down the UK are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Open Farm Sunday on 13 June.

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.

LEAF offers farmers free support in the form of a resource pack with publicity material and health and safety guidance, workshops and its website.

Open Farm Sunday manager Tom Allen-Stevens said: “We’re keen for farmers to help us build on last year’s success by organising a farm open day on June 13, 2010. 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.

“There are real business 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 10 regional co-ordinators 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.

OFS 2009 was declared a success, with 425 farms across the UK opening their gates to around 140,000 visitors.

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