Support for Scottish farmers
Open Farm Sunday is a great way for Scottish farmers to showcase the valuable work you do producing nutritious food, managing the countryside and contributing to the national economy.
Open Farm Sunday in Scotland
Open Farm Sunday continues to grow in Scotland, developing stronger links between farmers, smallholders and consumers by inviting the public to visit a farm on 9th June 2024. In the last few years, more than 90,000 people have visited events in Scotland, with between 15 and 30 farmers opening their gates each year. Help us to increase the number and diversity of farms taking part so we can communicate our positive farming messages.
What is Open Farm Sunday?
Open Farm Sunday is the industries annual open day! It gives you the opportunity to tell your own farming story and engage with your local community so they value the work you do to look after the environment, maintain high welfare standards and run a sustainable business. It was set up in 2006 and continues to be managed by the leading environmental charity LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming).
What support is available to me in Scotland?
All Scottish farmers are welcome to take part (you do not need to be a member of LEAF). It is free to register and all host farmers receive lots of support and free resources to help you promote your event and keep visitors engaged and informed on the day. These include a comprehensive host farmer handbook, packed with tips and guidance, a roadside banner, posters, flyers, postcards and lots more!
Staff in Scotland
Rebecca Dawes is our dedicated Open Farm Sunday Ambassador who is on hand to answer any questions you have about your event. Rebecca and her family have taken part in Open Farm Sunday since 2006 and continue to open their own mixed livestock farm in Kinross, Scotland. She also works for Jane Craigie Marketing who work closely with the team at LEAF.
What do I have to do on the day?
The kind of event you want to run and the number of visitors you want to invite is entirely up to you. Whether it is a farm walk for friends and neighbours or a large open day, every event matters. What you do every day on your farm will be new and exciting to your visitors, so you do not need to put on lots of extra activities. You could show visitors how you check livestock, milk your cows or walk your crops.
Interested, but not ready to register yet?
If you’re keen to host a Open Farm Sunday event, but you’re not ready to register yet, why not contact your local OFS Ambassador; Rebecca Dawes, on 07792 467730 or ofsrc.scotland@gmail.com who will arrange a time to speak to you on the phone.
Take part…
When you’re ready, please register your event here.
The essentials
As a Open Farm Sunday host farmer, we ask you to:
- Showcase to visitors good farming practices, how farming impacts on our lives and how you manage our natural resources
- Inform your insurance company that you are opening on Open Farm Sunday and have a minimum of £5 million public liability insurance cover
- Complete a risk assessment before the event (LEAF provides a template) and ensure health and safety arrangements will be in place on the day
- Provide adequate hand washing facilities especially if you have livestock or will be serving food
Supporters in Scotland
We are very grateful to the following Scottish organisations who have supported Open Farm Sunday. As we grow in Scotland we are always pleased to work with more supporters so we can increase the number of people we can engage with about farming, helping the industry as a whole. If you would like to get involved please contact Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday Manager.
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