With two months to go until one of the biggest dates in the farming and food calendar, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is keen to remind farmers that there is still time to sign up for Open Farm Sunday and join in the celebrations.
Registrations are already significantly up on previous years, and Open Farm Sunday 2014 has also secured even more support from across the industry.
Last year, more than 200,000 visitors attended an Open Farm Sunday event and more than 250 farms have already registered to open their gates on 8 June ,2014.
Farmers planning to host an Open Farm Sunday event can register online at www.farmsunday.org. It only takes a few moments to do and once registered, participating farmers can take advantage of all the support LEAF provides - including resources for farmers, to enable them to put on an enjoyable and safe day for visitors.
Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday manager, said: “We’re delighted so many farmers have already signed up and would encourage anyone who is planning to take part to register as soon as possible. Registering will ensure that you have access to the most up to date information and resources, as well as guaranteeing that your event will be listed on our events page, so visitors can find out what you have planned and how to find you.
'Since we first launched, Open Farm Sunday has grown to be the farming industry’s national open day and we would like as many farms as possible to help showcase everything that is great about British farming and food. Don’t forget that events can be as large or small as you would like – the decision is entirely yours.”
Open Farm Sunday 2014 will once again see the whole food and farming industry come together in support of LEAF’s initiative. Kellogg’s is the newest sponsor to be announced, adding to a list that already includes: Asda, BASF, Defra, John Deere, LEAF Marque, Marks and Spencer, NFU, Syngenta, Tesco, The Co-operative, and Waitrose.
Feedback each year shows that Open Farm Sunday has a real, positive impact raising the profile of the industry and bringing communities together. Over 95 per cent of farmers who take part report real business benefits.
As well as Open Farm Sunday, a number of farms will be opening up to schools for a fortnight of events in the second annual Open Farm School Days (2-13 June).
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