UK farms opening to public gain more support

Allowing the public on to farms can overturn production myths and, this year, more support than ever is available to U.K. famers opening their gates as part of Open Farm Sunday.

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Courtesy LEAF

I have a family member who believes that all U.K. eggs, unless labelled as free range, come from battery cages. Despite knowing what I do for a living, and having plenty of family members who are farmers, she remains convinced that right is on her side.

Some people will never change their minds, but others are more open to learning. For those that do have an enquiring mind, somebody, of course needs to give them answers. In the case of the poultry and egg industries, and agriculture more broadly, this is where farm visits can really offer value by showing the public how food is really produced.

Getting ready for June

One such scheme, Open Farm Sunday, has been running in the U.K. since 2006, organized by LEAF – Linking Environment and Farming, a body that works to encourage sustainable food and farming globally.

The next Open Farm Sunday will run in early June, which may seem like some time away, but planning makes perfect and, with that in mind, the event’s organizers have put together what they describe as their best-ever support package.

To help ensure that everything is O.K. on the day, from late January through to May, a series of nine Zoom webinars is being held, and the organizers are also offering a handbook with everything that host farmers could need to know, offering guidance and ideas to novices and seasoned host farmers alike.

The five-hour workshops will provide direct, hands-on learning ands share experiences from past hosts, The webinars will address a broad range of topics for running successful events, including logistics, publicity, visitor engagement, and safety protocols. Additionally, two free in-person workshops will be held in March.

LEAF says that it is firmly focused on building support for its farmer, equipping them with the right guidance and tools to open their farms. By connecting with consumers, it believes, the public can appreciate sustainable farming practices and trust the food that they eat.

According to Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday Manager, the event is a powerful platform to connect, engage and enlighten the public about the amazing work that farmers do, whether on a family farm or a large-scale enterprise.

Do these events really work?

Back in 2023 I reported on an Open Farm Sunday that attracted some vegans who followed their diet due to environmental concerns. The visit saw them start buying beef. Open Farm Sunday’s 2024 impact report indicates that 96% of visitors left with a greater appreciation of the work that farmers do following a farm visit.

Since the first Open Farm Sunday back in 2006, over 2,000 farmers across Britain have opened their gates to the public welcoming 3.25 million people onto their farms.

As the saying goes, seeing is believing. The more people that see how chicken meat or eggs are produced, the more will be inclined to reject long-held erroneous ideas and really understand where their food comes from.

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