OPEN FARM SUNDAY
Fact or Fiction – the truth about LEAF Open Farm Sunday With much of the UK population three or four generations removed from any connection with farming, even from knowing a farmer, it’s perhaps not surprising there is some misunderstanding and sometimes false perceptions about the agricultural industry especially amongst urban people. Farmers however, have the power to change this, to demonstrate all they deliver as food producers, custodians of the countryside and tackling climate change, as well as building loyalty for British food and encouraging some much-needed people into the industry. A range of great initiatives have been helping to reduce the rural-urban divide - from Agritourism, Quality Meat Scotland’s Farm Kid Diaries and LEAF Education’s many outreach activities like Farmer Time and Farming Fortnight, which are bringing farming into
General - Soil inspection - Hill Farm
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the classroom. But one of the original, and arguably the most powerful initiatives is LEAF Open Farm Sunday. In one day, it gives thousands of people, across generations, interests and geographical locations, a genuine farm experience and opportunity to meet a farmer, ask questions and see farming at first hand. It brings with it authenticity and provides a powerful platform to demonstrate to the increasingly conscious consumer what farmers are doing for the environment, a topic that is at the forefront of many current discussions. Arable farmer and social media sensation, Ally Hunter Blair recently highlighted how far the perception of farming is from the reality on a LEAF Open Farm Sunday podcast. “I think it’s important that people understand what happens on a modern farm. I’ve got a
two-year-old daughter and as you go through her kids’ books, it portrays quite an old-fashioned model; it’s that nostalgic view. The reality of modern-day arable farming is linked to innovation, science and technology, and that is something that really excites me. On my LEAF Open Farm Sunday, I drew a big 2.5m circle in the grain store showing how accurate a mobile phone GPS is, so everyone could relate to it. I then drew another circle with a 50 pence piece in the middle and people couldn’t believe this massive tractor that was parked next to them, could drive itself within the diameter of the coin. Everyone now has a sat nav but they didn’t realise the level of accuracy – it blew their mind!” Similarly, livestock farmer Grania Phillips, who has worked in the farming industry for over 30 years, feels the disconnect has been fuelled by misleading stories in the news.
Farm visit
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“There is a real lack of understanding about where our food comes from, and what we actually do on farm. I think the public has all sorts of misconceptions fed to them by the media, particularly about carbon with the focus on cattle and methane. This is really to do with the large feedlots in other countries, not what we do here in the UK, so I really believe this needs counteracting.” Both Ally and Grania strongly believe the best way to change consumer perceptions and attract individuals from non-farming into the industry, is to invite them onto a farm to see it in action. National organisers of Open Farm Sunday, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are encouraging farmers to open their gates to showcase all that the industry delivers. LEAF Open Farm Sunday Manager, Annabel Shackleton, explained why LOFS is so important.
