Farmers make final preparations for Open Farm Sunday

Farmers across the country are making their final preparations ahead of this weekend’s Open Farm Sunday.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, fewer farms are participating this year, but more than 100 will open the gates to visitors on Sunday 27 June.

See also: Open Farm Sunday: Myths, information and advice

Organiser Linking Environment and Farming (Leaf) said the emphasis is on smaller events so farmers can ensure they adhere to coronavirus safety guidelines.

Farms will run smaller, socially distanced walks and talks, which give the public the chance to learn about the countryside and where their food comes from.

Leaf Open Farm Sunday manager Annabel Shackleton asked participating farmers in England and Wales to ensure they have the track and trace code available for visitors to scan, and likewise for farmers in Scotland to have the test and protect code available.

“As with going to any other event in the current circumstances, it is also a case of asking people to wash their hands before they leave home, and on their arrival have hand sanitiser there,” Ms Shackleton told Farmers Weekly.

Regional ambassadors

Farmers preparing for their event have been helped by eight regional ambassadors, who have been on hand to answer questions and talk through the plans for the day.

Ms Shackleton added: “This is the ‘clean up the farm week’. A lot of the farmers who take part in Open Farm Sunday love the fact it gives them a focus to clean up those areas of the farm that are maybe a bit untidy before they welcome the public.”

The event organiser praised the farmers taking part in what is an unusual year, and encouraged people to consider hosting next year.

This will be the 15th Open Farm Sunday event since the initiative was launched in 2006.