We all love waving to a tractor or saying hello to grazing cows, but have you ever wanted to learn more about what goes on back at the farm?

Open Farm Sunday on 12th June, managed by LEAF, showcases farming at its best by helping 100s of farms across the country open their gates to the public. It’s a brilliant way for people to be educated on how the food and drink they consume is grown and produced. Visitors of all ages can discover first-hand what it means to be a farmer and see all of the work involved, the goods and services our farmers provide and how farming enhances
our countryside. 

Every event is totally unique and many are free too. Activities and talks can range from machinery displays and demonstrations, guided tours and talks, and meet and greets with animals, to tractor and trailer rides, nature walks and food tasting. 

Some of the participating farms locally include the 300-cow dairy farm, Woodrow Barton, just north of Exeter in Brampford Speke, who will be inviting families on a guided farm walk. Here you’ll be able to meet the farm’s new 3-4 month old calves, last year’s heifers and the milking herd, before learning how the milking parlour works with a live demonstration and then enjoying a taste of their milk and flavoured milkshakes.

Manor Mill Farm, Branscombe will be talking to visitors about the science in farming with hosted tours on their National Trust leased farmstead right on the edge of the Jurassic Coast, while Crediton’s Middle Weeke Farm welcomes visitors (including wheelchair users thanks to good accessibility) to meet their 80 Jersey cows and enjoy a guided walk around the farm, fields and machinery in action.

Alternatively, head to the picturesque organic dairy, beef and sheep farm, Bowden Farm, Buckfastleigh, at the foothills of Dartmoor to enjoy milking, sheep shearing and hearding demonstrations live on the farm, as well as a static machinery display and a tractor and trailer tour.

Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity to connect farmers with their consumers and discover the full story from farm to fork.

Find a participating farm near you at www.farmsunday.org/visit-a-farm