All the fun of the farm

On June 10 2007 you can find out more about how farms are run, thanks to Open Farm Day.

Before we came to your farm we honestly thought that farmers were butchers of the countryside. Now we have been, we are amazed how much you care!

- Vegetarian visitor after visiting Fosse Farm, Somerset, as part of last year's inaugural Open Farm Sunday.

What is Open Farm Sunday?

Open Farm Sunday is a LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) initiative, although not all the farmers opening are LEAF members.

It is designed to show why farms matter, to bring the countryside to life, and to give everyone a great day out in the country.

LEAF Demonstration Farmer Jeremy Padfield opened Fosse Farm, in Stratton on the Fosse, Somerset to the public last year and is evangelical about farming and farm life; he has two children, and thinks they couldn't be brought up anywhere better.

"We are passionate about countering the ignorance that has grown over the years about what farmers do, and where food comes from," he says.

What to look forward to...

This year Fosse Farm will have trailer tours, a treasure hunt and art and craft activities for children; there will be a static farm machinery display, a farm walk, a chance to meet the animals and watch sheep shearing, and several stalls selling local food.