6th June 2023
LEAF Open Farm Sunday (OFS) returns this Sunday, 11th June, receiving sponsorship from Frontier Agriculture for the 16th year running.
This weekend hundreds of farms across the country will open their gates for UK agriculture’s annual open day. OFS gives farmers the opportunity to showcase the best of British agriculture, inviting the public to learn about how their food is produced and what farmers are doing to take care of the environment.
With unique activities taking place at every farm, a fun and educational day is assured for visitors from any background.
2023 will mark the 16th consecutive year Frontier has been a principal sponsor of OFS.
Engaging local communities
Research shows that OFS is having a positive impact on the reputation of UK agriculture, with 85% of last year’s attendees stating that they had more trust in British farming having visited a farm.
Frontier’s managing director, Mark Aitchison says: “Agriculture plays a fundamental part in the UK food supply chain. We are pleased to support a cause that raises awareness of the important, often unnoticed, work British farmers do.”
Frontier’s involvement with OFS goes beyond financial support, with many of the company’s employees helping farmer customers host local events. “Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity for our people to support customers whilst showcasing their skills and expertise in local communities,” says Mark. “Many visitors will not be aware that roles such as agronomists and farm traders exist. It could encourage talent from outside the industry to consider pursuing a career in agriculture.”
Making a difference
Frontier’s involvement with OFS is part of its wider commitment to promote agriculture and engage with local communities under the ‘People’ pillar of its sustainability approach, ‘The Responsible Choice’.
OFS is organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) – a national organisation which works with farmers to encourage sustainable farming practices that enrich the countryside and engage local communities.
Alongside Frontier, this year’s sponsors include: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Arla Foods, Asda, BASF, Co-op, Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Farmers Weekly, John Deere, LEAF Marque, Marks & Spencer, National Farmers Union (NFU), Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
Farmers who want to learn more and find out how to register their farm for Open Farm Sunday 2024 should visit www.farmsunday.org.
