Open Farm Sunday 2014 Review
Farmers and their helpers celebrated this weekend the positive response to Open Farm Sunday, according to the announcement made by organisers, LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), following the event held on June 8 with the participation of farmers across the UK.
LEAF have reported that a record number of visitors attended an Open Farm Sunday event. While final figures are still being obtained, LEAF estimates that visitor numbers for 2014 will hit the 205,000 mark – exceeding the record breaking attendance of 2013.
The combination of public support for farming, publicity for Open Farm Sunday, and bright sunshine across most of Britain meant that many experienced host farmers recorded record numbers of visitors. Meanwhile, farmers who opened their gates for the first time, which accounted for three in ten Open Farm Sunday events, have reported very positive feedback from their visitors.
This year, in total 375 farms across England, Scotland and Wales opened their gates from the most southerly farm on the Lizard in Cornwall to the Orkney Islands and everywhere in between. Visitors and farmers alike took to Twitter and Facebook to share their comments and pictures from the day.
HUGE WELL DONE everyone sunshine over most of UK happy people everywhere record numbers over 205,000 visitors @OpenFarmSunday #OFS14
— Caroline Drummond (@LEAFchief) June 10, 2014
Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday manager at LEAF, commented on feedback from both farmers and consumers: “This year has truly been a celebration of British farming and food! It’s fantastic that people have once again come out in their thousands to show their support for farmers. It was great to see so many families enjoying a day out in the countryside and learning about farming and food production. To see the faces of children and their parents light up when they hold a chick, see the size of a cow, climb onto a tractor and walk through fields, is so rewarding.”
“We would like to say a huge thank you to the 6,000 farmers and their helpers who took part this year to make this the best Open Farm Sunday yet. Once again farmers have done the industry proud – showcasing the best of British Farming. I would also like to extend our gratitude to all our sponsors who helped make it all possible and provided resources for farmers, in-store promotions and on-farm support. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of Open Farm Sunday so put the 7th June 2015 in your diary now so we can make the celebrations even bigger!”
Agriculture Minister George Eustice, who visited Tuesley Farm in Godalming said: “Our farmers are responsible for producing so much great British food that we all enjoy on a daily basis, and we should celebrate the vital role they play at the heart of communities up and down the country. Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity for people to learn more about where there food comes from, and to demonstrate to young people why a career in agriculture can be so rewarding.”
I added a video to a @YouTube playlist http://t.co/mzbetP5PRS Open Farm Sunday 2014
— Open Farm Sunday (@OpenFarmSunday) June 10, 2014
