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Visit a farm on 10 June for LEAF Open Farm Sunday… …and be inspired to open your gates next year By Rebecca Dawes, Scottish Co-ordinator
The start of 2018 can only be described as challenging for almost everyone working within the agricultural sector – the snow, rain and wind has certainly made it a year we will not forget quickly. However farmers are resilient and through this resilience the poor weather has highlighted some of the many positive aspects that the general public often do not get the opportunity to see. Whether it was farmers rallying together to help free vehicles that 86
were stuck in the snow, protecting the welfare of their livestock by sharing resources or using tractors to deliver necessities to their local community - including a midwife in one area - farmers certainly have made the news this year. This collaborative nature is fundamental to the success of LEAF Open Farm Sunday, managed by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). The industry’s annual open day to date has welcomed more than two
million visitors to farms across the UK, with hundreds of farmers taking part annually. With a shared passion for British farming, and a love for what they do, their individual stories are helping to bridge the gap between the general public and the food and drink they enjoy. In Scotland, support continues to grow with between 15 and 30 farmers opening their gates each year, covering a wide range of geographical areas including the
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highlands and islands. In the last five years, over 110,000 people in Scotland have visited one of these farms and with more farmers than ever taking part in 2018, we are set to have a record-breaking year. But for those who have been considering LEAF Open Farm Sunday but are still not 100% sure, or have perhaps never heard of the initiative, the event on 10th June is an opportunity to visit a fellow farmer who is taking part to gain some ideas. Whether you go