Medium sized event

Donya has always felt passionate about sharing the farming story with children, speaking in schools, WI groups and organising farm visits for the Scouts. She persuaded her husband to expand the audience to and showcase, in particular, arable farming:

“We wanted to show people that there’s so much more than meets the eye with arable farming. Clarkson’s Farm has been really good for illustrating this, and there’s so much to say about it. Farming is not just about animals.

“Visitors were really interested in finding out how and why we are doing what we do, why we can’t be price setters with commodities, why organic is not the answer for everything, and how we are farming with nature. We know our ‘back garden’ better than anyone. We’re seeking to enhance it and not destroy it as is often suggested on TV and in the media.”

A machinery display - of the combine, drill, cultivator and sprayer - and farm tours were both popular and had huge Instagram-appeal. A letter trail around the farm to create an anagram kept children active, while a straw bale next to a hay bale proved a very effective way to explain the difference and what each is used for, as was a table display of seeds showing the crop they grow into and what food they make.

“We hired the district trailer from the NFU, which was inexpensive and was the most popular part of the day. Another top tip is to invite other local farmers to help – their knowledge makes all the difference to visitors’ experience.”

An agronomist explained the different inputs for each crop, and they showed how they used RTK and GPS to show the accuracy deployed to avoid unnecessary fertiliser, time or fuel use.

Donya, who became a beekeeper 10 years ago, interested in how bees could enhance crop yields, also invited the local beekeeping group. They brought a live observation hive to explain the work of pollinators and other environmental impacts for insects on the farm, which sits in the middle of the Vale of Belvoir, and is home to beautiful flora and birdlife. They also ran a coffee shop to help cover some event costs.

The Donger family, who also sell their own rapeseed oil, honey and fruit vinegars, were delighted with the turnout:

“Every person should know where food comes from, to have a chance to open their minds and experience it. It’s amazing to be able to speak to all manner of folk, adults as much as children, and engage them with our industry.”

Keen to take part and host an event this year? Register your event here.

Questions? Contact the Open Farm Sunday team: OpenFarmSunday@leaf.eco or phone 07912 463151