LOFS News
Stay up to date with all our latest news surrounding LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
For press enquiries, please contact the LEAF Open Farm Sunday Press Office:
Trade enquiries: 07792 465730 [email protected]janecraigie.com
Consumer enquiries: 01189 475956 [email protected]ceres-pr.co.uk
Invite to breakfast with LEAF Open Farm Sunday
A series of breakfast meetings will be hosted across Britain over the next few weeks by the organisers of the popular flagship on-farm event, LEAF Open Farm Sunday. Between 16th February and 4th April, 10 regional LEAF Open Farm Sunday ambassadors are holding informal meet ups over breakfast to support, inspire and upskill farmers thinking about taking part in the event on 11th June.
Motivating conferences
LEAF Open Farm Sunday Manager, Annabel Shackleton headed up to Scotland recently to NFU Scotland’s annual conference, and joined NFU conference online. Here she tells us more about some of the key messages, priorities and inspiring conversations...
New stats reveal 85% of visitors have more trust in British farming
It’s been a turbulent year for the British agricultural industry with rising cost of fuel and fertiliser, challenges around labour, unpredictable weather and political changes, many of which are still unknown. The continuous uncertainty is something that cannot be taken lightly, by farmers, by the industry, and by the media. With the image and perception of British food and farming ever-changing, it is more important than ever that 2023 offers some focus and direction.
Celebrate farming with LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2023
On Sunday 11th June, farmers across the country will once again open their gates for a national celebration of farming and all it delivers, inviting the public to join them and discover where their food comes from.
LOFS Impacts report 2022
LOFS 2022 - what a positive impact!
Fantastic Feedback!
The LOFS team have created a scrapbook full of comments, anecdotes, memories, and feedback from the wonderful LEAF Open Farm Sunday events held across Britain in June. The document gives a lovely insight into the true impact of LOFS.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday strengthens public trust in British farming
LEAF Open Farm Sunday has long been the industry’s annual open day, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors on farm every year. This year’s event held last month was no exception, attracting 175,000 visitors, 20% of whom had not visited a farm before and over half (52%) coming from urban areas.
Farmers unite to showcase British farming
LEAF Open Farm Sunday was back this weekend, making memories and changing perceptions. Over 250 farms across Britain opened their gates to tens of thousands of visitors on Sunday, showcasing British farming and all it delivers on farming’s annual open day. Across the country fields and farmyards filled with chatter and laughter from interested and engaged families, all looking to learn more about how their food is produced, the countryside is managed and what it is like to have a career in farming.
Caroline Drummond, MBE, 24th June 1963 — 23rd May 2022.
Tributes have poured in following the very sad news that LEAF’s Chief Executive for over 30 years, Caroline Drummond MBE passed away on Monday 23rd May after a very short illness. A force of nature, a visionary, and a champion for more sustainable farming, Caroline or ‘CD’ as she was known to so many, tirelessly championed the development and uptake of more sustainable, regenerative farming. She was also passionate about bridging the gap between farmers and the public.
Discover why farming and health go hand in hand on LEAF Open Farm Sunday
LEAF Open Farm Sunday returns on 12th June, as hundreds of farms across the country will be opening to the public for farming’s annual open day. Showcasing farming’s commitment to producing nutritious food more sustainably, the focus this year is on health.
How hungry is your soil?
Organisers of LEAF Open Farm Sunday, Linking Environment And Farming, are encouraging farmers to plant their cotton ‘pants’ now to demonstrate to visitors in June the importance of soil management in agriculture, and the role of microorganisms in maintaining its health.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday is “healthy”
Whether it is healthy soil, healthy food or a healthy mind, LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) returns this June with a focus on the many health benefits that can be found on farm. Organisers of the farming industry’s annual open day, Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) are calling on farmers to take part and organise their own event to demonstrate the industry’s commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, climate mitigation, nutritious food and a well-managed countryside.
LOFS launches Impact 2021
Our latest LEAF Open Farm Sunday impacts report celebrates the highlights and successes of LOFS 2021 which returned to real life, face to face events, plus our virtual farm tours and Spring and Autumn LEAF Online Farm Sundays. We would like to thank every one of our farmers for their involvement, support and enthusiasm for keeping LEAF Open Farm Sunday on the road this year making it another one to remember.
*BLOG* Barbara Bray; Eating Sustainably and Healthy
Eating sustainably – why it matters to our bodies and the planet! Registered Nutritionist (AfN) and food safety consultant, Barbara Bray MBE, shares the reasons why it is important that we eat healthily and sustainably… The importance of eating a healthy balanced diet is something many of us are aware of, however, did you know that what we eat can affect the planet too? From choosing cooking methods that use less energy*, to choosing sustainably produced foods, every food decision we make can impact the environment. Whilst we grow a lot of the food we need in Britain – from fruit and vegetables to dairy and meat – we also import food from other countries, which is why it is important our choices are both healthy and sustainable.
*BLOG* Andy Guy - Net Zero; what are farmers doing already?
Amid all the talk of Climate Change and the contribution of farming in the emission of Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) there are some important things to consider. Clearly, British farmers, like our colleagues around the globe and every single citizen on the planet, are contributing to the problem but, unlike almost every other industry in the world, farmers have the capacity, on farm, to absorb carbon dioxide too. Agriculture is estimated to be responsible for around 10% of emissions in the UK which is about 2/3 of the amount from Residential Properties and about 1/3 of the figure for Transport (Based on data from 2017). In the last three decades the GHG emissions from UK farming have fallen by 16% and, while this is a positive story, there is more work to be done.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday continues to drive public engagement with farming
Following a year in which LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has encouraged thousands of people to join virtual farm tours across the country, the sustainable farming organisation has reported that over 100 farms opened their gates on 27th June for LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2021 – farming’s annual open day.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday will go ahead as planned on 27th June.
Following recent news (14.06.2021) that the full lifting of Coronavirus restrictions is being delayed by four weeks, LEAF Open Farm Sunday organisers confirm that farming’s annual open day will go ahead as planned on 27th June, plus a few farm walks happening on Sunday’s in July. Please see the full statement issued below.
Discovering more about sustainable farming on LEAF Open Farm Sunday
With farmers managing over 70% of the UK land area, LEAF Open Farm Sunday (27th June) is a unique opportunity to experience the role British farmers play in enhancing and protecting the environment and fighting climate change through more sustainable farming. To find out more information about how to book on to a LEAF Open Farm Sunday event, please visit: https://farmsunday.org (Please note booking is essential)
LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2021: Size does matter this year!
On Sunday 27th June, the farming industry’s annual open day, LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) will return to celebrate its 15th event since the initiative was launched in 2006. At a time when food and farming has generated greater interest than ever before, LOFS organisers, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), is calling on farmers to take part and help promote the British food and farming story.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday strengthens support for farmers
With two months until LEAF Open Farm Sunday on the 27th June, which will see hundreds of farmers open their farm gates to the public, organisers Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) have today announced the appointment of eight ambassadors to support farmers, crofters and smallholders taking part.
*BLOG* Meet Britain's Fittest Farmer, James Arney
James Arney (26), from Frome, Somerset, is a third generation farmer working on the family farm rearing young calves, a few pigs and a small flock of ewes. His farming keeps him in good shape, but he enjoys hitting the gym and playing cricket and football, too. Last November, James won the title Britain’s Fittest Farmer in a gruelling national competition organised by Farmers Weekly and in March 2021 he clocked up an amazing 215,629 steps over seven days when he took part in the LEAF Open Farm Sunday Farm Fit Competition. Living and working at home can be stressful, so managing time off is crucial for his personal wellbeing and mental health. Here James shares the challenges of keeping fit within his busy schedule…
Celebrate farming with LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2021
This June, farmers across the country will once again open their gates for a national celebration of farming and all it delivers. LEAF Open Farm Sunday returns on 27th June, for the fifteenth annual celebration of British farming.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday to move to last weekend in June
Following official announcements on the roadmap out of lockdown in England, the LEAF Open Farm Sunday team has decided to move the date of its flagship event to Sunday 27th June, two weeks after the original date planned.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday announces plans for 2021
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), organisers of the farming industry’s annual open day, LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS), has today announced a year-round programme of public engagement to support this flagship event.
Join the LEAF Open Farm Sunday team!
The new LOFS Ambassador role is for someone who loves taking part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday and talking about it! Primarily it’s about helping to build our community of LOFS farmers – sharing ideas, answering questions, helping to promote LOFS and being one of 7 ambassadors for LOFS across Britain
LEAF Online Farm Sunday Impacts Report 2020
The year LEAF Open Farm Sunday went virtual! Read our impacts report and find out about the fabulous work farmers have done to connect the public with farming during 2020.
LEAF Online Farm Sunday delivers an online celebration of food and farming
This weekend, farmers from across Britain and beyond, took part in LEAF Online Farm Sunday - an online celebration of farming, which gave hundreds of thousands of people the chance to discover more about how and where their food is produced.
Farmers urged to ‘dip a toe’ in LEAF Open Farm Sunday virtual event
Food and biodiversity will be at the heart of LEAF Open Farm Sunday’s (LOFS) two-day virtual event in September. Featuring live interactive tours and demonstrations from farmers and chefs from around the UK on 19th and 20th September, organisers Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) are calling on farmers to get involved by sharing their own short film clips, photos and stories of food and farming across social media.
Farmers Get Set to Open Their (virtual) Farm Gates!
We are getting ready to celebrate British farming this Autumn as LEAF Open Farm Sunday takes to the airwaves and goes on line on the 20th September!
Organisers of LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2020 announce this year’s event in September will go online
After much careful consideration, taking into account farmer feedback and using other similar events and shows as guidance, we have taken the decision to cancel all face to face on-farm LEAF Open Farm Sunday events this September. We are all looking forward to welcoming the public back on farm next year on Sunday 13th June 2021.
Success for LEAF Online Farm Sunday
On Sunday 7th June, farmers across the country took to social media for the first ever LEAF Online Farm Sunday, with thousands of consumers joining them on virtual tours of their farms, to see and hear directly from the farmers themselves about all they do for the environment and to produce the food we eat.
Going virtual: Farmers to showcase the industry in LEAF Online Farm Sunday
With farm visits on hold and LEAF Open Farm Sunday postponed to September, the very first LEAF Online Farm Sunday has been announced. On Sunday 7th June, farmers across the UK are being invited to share their world of farming across social media to connect the public with food production and the countryside virtually using #LOFS20.
A National Celebration of Farming
On Sunday 20th September, hundreds of farms across the country open their gates for national celebration of farming and all it delivers.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday announcement
Due to the circumstances related to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), it is with regret that LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has taken the inevitable, safe and sensible decision to postpone this year’s LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) event to Sunday 20th September 2020.
LOFS Networking and Information events
A cheese maker, a hop grower and a sheep farmer are joining forces with other inspiring farmers across the UK to run a series of special regional networking and information events about hosting farm visits for the public.
LOFS Support for Farmers and Crofters in Scotland
Scottish farmers have been producing safe, traceable and nutritious food for generations. Imports post Brexit will potentially mean double standards across the food sector. Farmers understand what this means – but do our customers? Will shoppers continue to make their purchase decisions on price?
Storytelling: Farming is an inspiring tale to tell
To mark National Storytelling Week (1-8 Feb), LEAF Chief Executive Caroline Drummond highlights how farmers have some of the best and most important stories to tell of all and encourages farmers to share their story on LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2020
LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2020: Caring for the environment – the essential ingredient in your food
Sunday 7th June is your opportunity to see at first hand, how caring for the environment is an essential ingredient in the food we eat, as hundreds of farms around the country open their gates for the 15th annual LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
NEW poll shows now is the time for farmers to open their gates to the public
In preparation for the 15th anniversary of its Open Farm Sunday event, Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) undertook research to determine how British people feel about visiting our nation’s farms.
Latest LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2019 Figures Released
For the fifth year running, over a quarter of a million people connected with farming on LEAF Open Farm Sunday. This year 250,450 people went out onto 365 farms from Jersey to Shetland Isles.
Farming Minister backs LEAF Open Farm Sunday on North Yorkshire Moors Farm Visit
Agriculture Minister, Robert Goodwill visited Stonebeck Gate Farm at Little Fryup, near Danby in North Yorkshire on Sunday (9th June) to give his backing to LEAF Open Farm Sunday – the farming industry’s national open day.
QMS Scotland - Still time to support Open Farm Sunday!
There's still time to take part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday! Could you help LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) hit their target of 30 Scottish farms taking part on June 9th!
LOFS Vlog: Sarah Mukherjee
Sarah Mukherjee shares with farmers why it's so important to open your farm for LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
Ploughing through Brexit: Connect consumers with farming on LEAF Open Farm Sunday
Brexit makes opening your farm for LEAF Open Farm Sunday even more important than ever, according to Ian Pigott and Jeremy Padfield, two farmers who regularly open their farm for farming’s annual open day – this year taking place on 9th June. Listen to this 27 minute podcast to find out more.
Year on year increase of farm sign-ups for LEAF Open Farm Sunday
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are encouraging more farmers to seize the opportunity to connect with the consumer and build loyalty and support for British farming. The call for more farmers to register for LEAF Open Farm Sunday comes as it’s announced the number of farmers already committed to hosting events is up 10% on this time last year.
BLOG: Sarah Mukherjee, CEO of the Crop Protection Association (CPA)
Sometimes it might not seem like it, but there really is a huge public well of support for farmers. Whilst there’s a vocal minority active on Twitter, the vast majority of UK consumers support our farmers and value UK produce.
BLOG: Being a food-producing celebrity for a day
Our Cow Molly is a working dairy farm four miles from Sheffield city centre and on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Here Eddie Andrew shares their story of taking part in Open Farm Sunday.
BBC South Today News
Regular LEAF Open Farm Sunday hosts, the Bennett family welcomed David Lumb of BBC South Today to Sandy Lane Farm, Oxfordshire, to report on how it is critical that farmers connect the public with farming and take part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday on 9th June 2019.
LOFS Vlog: Abi Reader
Abi shares with farmers why its so important to open your farm for LEAF Open Farm Sunday and how she does it!
LOFS Vlog: Teresa Pickworth
Teresa shares how hosting a LEAF Open Farm Sunday event has enabled them to diversify their farming business and she gives practical guidance on how to host a farm walk and open event.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday is Best Public Access for Public Goods says Chief Executive
LEAF Open Farm Sunday is the single most effective and supported way for farmers to provide public access, said Caroline Drummond, LEAF’s Chief Executive, in an exclusive interview this week (16.01.2019) with Rock and Roll Farmer, Will Evans. Emphasising the benefits of opening the UK’s farm gates for ‘managed’ visits to the countryside – the ‘access to all’ proposed in the new Agriculture Bill - the organisation’s chief also said it is essential for winning over public minds for public money.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2019 - Make a date to get closer to farming on 9th June
On Sunday 9th June, farms across the country are opening their gates and inviting the public to come and find out more about farming and what farmers do. LEAF Open Farm Sunday has now been running for 14 years, offering a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get closer to farming and to the people that make it happen.
Farmers are having huge impact on public perception, LEAF Open Farm Sunday figures reveal
Farmers who invite the public onto their farms are having a lasting positive impact, with nearly 90% of visitors in 2018 saying it has changed the way they think about farming.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday announces plans to support new host farmers
LEAF has today announced new plans to support host farmers opening their gates for the first time for LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
Record Visitor Numbers for 13th LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2018
Final visitor numbers for LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2018 released today (9th July), show that this annual event is now more popular with the public than ever before. LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has announced that a total of 293,650 people visited a farm on Sunday 10th June 2018. This is 2,254 more visitors than the previous record, which was achieved in 2015.
British weather (and more) puts damper on outdoor enthusiasm
While most of us agree that we feel better after being in the countryside, it seems that we need the sun to shine before we are prepared to venture out. In a survey for LEAF Open Farm Sunday, half (51%) of respondents said that they are put off spending time outside because it’s too cold, 45% because it’s too wet and a quarter (23%) because it is often too muddy.
Stressed millennials shun the outdoors
More than half of 18-24 year olds report feeling stressed at least once a day | Main causes are money, work, future prospects | Top de-stress activity is watching a film/TV
New resources launched for LEAF Open Farm Sunday hosts including new ticketing system
Ahead of LEAF Open Farm Sunday (10th June), organisers LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has launched a range of new resources and announced a new ticketing system to help farmers plan and control the size of their event. Once again LEAF are offering all host farmers a range of free promotional materials including posters, leaflets and flyers, branded polo shirts and hi-vis vests. To make ordering easier, farmers can order their printed resources in packs suitable for events of various sizes - small (up to 50 visitors), medium (50-250 visitors), or large (over 250 visitors).
UK food and farming sector unites for LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2018
With public access to the natural environment very much on the agenda, LEAF Open Farm Sunday is once again at the forefront of uniting the UK food and farming industry to demonstrate to the public all that British farmers deliver. This key industry initiative is unique in bringing together partners from across the whole food and farming sector for a day of celebration - from farmers and processors through to retailers and associated organisations.
BLOG: Publicity for your LEAF Open Farm Sunday event
Jo is LEAF's Open Farm Sunday Regional Co-ordinator for the South East and here she shares her ideas and experience on how to publicise your LEAF Open Farm Sunday event.
Open letter to press from LEAF Open Farm Sunday Manager
British farming has got so much to be proud of. The integrity of British produce has never been greater. Yet many people still have little understanding of where their food comes from or how farming impacts on their lives. This can lead to misconceptions, unnecessary concerns and an undervaluing of what farmers do.
BLOG: Getting Started with LEAF Open Farm Sunday
Philip runs the family farm in west Herefordshire. The farm specialises in herbage, cereal and vining pea seed production and has a herd of single suckler beef cattle. Philip's wife Heather runs a mail order Birdseed (all supplied and packed by the farm) and ancillaries business, Wiggly Wigglers together with a mail order florist, The Great British Florist, supplying UK grown flowers only, some of which are grown on the farm.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday visitor survey confirms positive impact
The results of the LEAF Open Farm Sunday visitor follow-up survey, released this week, highlight how important public access onto farms is to how consumers view British farmers and farming.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2018 - Be part of The Great British Farm Day
With registrations for LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2018 due to open on the 1st November, we announce a new theme for next year’s campaign, as well as plans to increase support for host farmers.
HRH Countess of Wessex attends farming teenage debate
HRH Countess of Wessex was amongst the attendees at the LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) Education and Public Engagement Conference last week. LEAF’s Honorary President joined growers, retailers and industry representatives to explore practical and effective solutions to help reconnect teenagers with farming.
Farmers Stand Proud on LEAF Open Farm Sunday
The public showed its support for British farming en masse last weekend with over a quarter of a million people visiting farms for LEAF Open Farm Sunday. Initial estimates from organisers LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) indicate that over 250k people spent the day at one of the 358 farms across the country that hosted an event, with many farms reporting higher than expected figures.
Leckford Estate Sees Royal Visit for LEAF Open Farm Sunday
On Sunday 11th June, HRH The Countess of Wessex, LEAF’s Honorary President, visited The Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate for Open Farm Sunday.
Farmers call on consumer support in face of Brexit
New research reveals consumers are more concerned about how Brexit will impact the price and choice of food available than they are about the implications for British farmers.
Make a date to discover the world of farming
On Sunday 11th June 2017 hundreds of farms across the UK will throw open their gates to welcome the public and showcase the fascinating world of farming.
Help build public trust in farming on 11th June 2017
Chief Executive Caroline Drummond MBE encourages farmers to open for Open Farm Sunday 2017.
Hot off the press
The campaign for Open Farm Sunday 2017 is off to fabulous start with the farming press getting right behind our push to encourage more farmers to open for Open Farm Sunday on 11th June 2017.
LEAF calls on farmers to stand proud on Open Farm Sunday 2017
‘Open your gates for next year’s Open Farm Sunday on 11th June and proudly show the public all that you achieve and the breadth of goods and services you deliver.’ That’s the message to farmers from LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), as registrations for Open Farm Sunday 2017 open on 1st November.
Open Farm Sunday continues to drive forward public engagement
Farming's national open day continues to drive forward public engagement with farming and food production.
Open Farm Sunday 2016 – Public engagement reaches new high
Visitors to Open Farm Sunday once again exceeded over a quarter of a million. 85% increase in Open Farm Sunday Facebook followers. #OFS16 trended on Twitter on Open Farm Sunday
Consumers lacking knowledge to support British farmers
Half of consumers think we should produce more food in Britain, but 95% are unaware how much food is already grown here. More than a quarter say they buy more British food than they did five years ago, and the same number are happy to pay more for British food. Many consumers still struggle with basic food knowledge: nearly a quarter of consumers do not know eggs come from chickens, or that bacon comes from pigs
Consumers unaware of farming’s scope and value
Two thirds of consumers are unaware farmers grow crops for medicine, cosmetics, rope and paper. Over 90% of consumers are unaware how much UK land is used for agriculture and the value of the sector to the UK economy. Less than half of those questioned realise that farmers care for and manage the countryside
Top Food and Farming organisations back this year’s Open Farm Sunday
Top names from across the food and farming sectors are once again, united in their support of Open Farm Sunday – farming’s national open day. Organisers LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), has announced long term supporters, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Arla Food, Asda, BASF, Defra, Frontier Agriculture, John Deere, LEAF Marque, Marks and Spencer, National Farmers’ Union, Tesco, The Co-Operative Food and Waitrose will once again, be supporting the initiative. In addition, two new sponsors – cereals brand, Jordans and retailer, Sainsbury’s, are also sponsoring Open Farm Sunday 2016.
New farm science resources announced for host farmers
BBSRC has funded three new public engagement projects to produce on-farm activities that will inspire and educate people about the science behind farming and food production. The activities will be used by farmers and visiting scientists at LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday on 5 June 2016.
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