Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to celebrate Open Farm Sunday’s 20th anniversary at events across England, Scotland and Wales. The day was marked by a significant increase in host farms opening their gates for the first time.
Established in 2006 by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), Open Farm Sunday has grown into one of British farming’s biggest public engagement success stories. This year, initial estimates indicate that almost 200,000 visitors were welcomed onto participating farms to learn more about food, farming and the environment.
A total of 283 farmers registered OFS events, with a quarter taking part as first-time hosts. Farmers were supported by volunteers, sponsors and the wider industry, giving visitors of all ages an opportunity to experience nature-friendly farming firsthand.
Open Farm Sunday manager, Annabel Shackleton, says this milestone year showed the continued value of these events: “Open Farm Sunday continues to capture the public’s imagination, and they are so grateful for the chance to step beyond the farm gate and connect with the people that produce their food.
“This year’s 20th anniversary has been a wonderful reminder of the pride, care and commitment that backs up British farming. We are enormously grateful to every farmer, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who helped make the day possible.
“There is a huge appetite among the public to learn more about farming with nature in a fun and engaging way, and the high standards our industry works to. Being able to create that connection between the consumers, their food and the farmers who work tirelessly to produce it has always been key.”
New research commissioned by LEAF ahead of this year’s event shone a light on the importance the public places on farming practices that prioritise both food production and the environment.
The survey of more than 2,000 people revealed that 93% believe it is important for the UK to maintain a strong level of food production capacity in an increasingly uncertain world, while 89% agree that protecting nature on farms, including healthy soils, flood defences, and biodiversity, is essential for long-term food production.
Shackleton adds: “These results show why Open Farm Sunday matters. It gives farmers the space to show how they care for soils, wildlife, water and the wider countryside, and a chance to have important conversations in a positive, engaging and practical way.”
Over the past 20 years, Open Farm Sunday has welcomed more than 3.65 million people onto farms, and Mrs Shackleton thanked the ‘army of volunteers and sponsors’ who helped on farms up and down the country to ensure it was an industry success.
Cambridgeshire farmer Michael Sly MBE, who runs the biggest single Open Farm Sunday event and has hosted more than 120,000 visitors over the past 20 years, believes the bonds it builds between farmers and their local communities are vital.
“We started with 12 people attending in 2006 and now host around 10,000 visitors. Over the years, it has become a community event that the village has really got behind,” adds Sly.
“Other farmers come and volunteer their time to help and engage with the public, and that ability for the farmers to work together relates back to normal farming as well. There’s so much we can learn from each other, and Open Farm Sunday highlights that on every level.”
LEAF extends its thanks to Open Farm Sunday’s sponsors, farmers, volunteers and wider industry supporters who helped host events across Britain, as well as the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attended.
Next year’s Open Farm Sunday will take place on 13 June 2027.
