THIS Sunday more than 70 farms in the South West and at least 350 farms in the UK will open up their gates for Open Farm Sunday.

Since 2006, when Open Farm Sunday began, one million people have visited their local farms to get a glimpse into how their food is produced and enjoy a fun day out with the family.

With food provenance a topic for hot debate, this year’s Open Farm Sunday could not be a more timely chance for farmers to dispel a few myths about food production.

Every Open Farm Sunday event will be different and the majority are free, with a range of activities including farm tours, nature walks, milking demonstrations, sheep shearing and tractor and trailer rides.

The Co-operative’s Manor Farm at Down Ampney near Cirencester is taking part in the event for the first time this Sunday. Visitors to this arable farm will be able to get up close to the machinery used on the farm, meet the beekeepers who look after the 600 beehives and learn more about the Farm to Fork scheme, which has already hosted around 50 free visits from school children this year.

Wine lovers will also get the chance to see the six acre vineyard, the first of its kind on a Co-operative’s farm, which will hopefully produce its first wine this year.

Farm manager James Taylor said: “We are an arable farm and we want to show people what that means. People need to know where their food comes from. I don’t think the public understand how well-produced their food is and take it for granted.

“There is a lot of negative press about farming and I don’t think we shout loudly enough about what we do. We are extremely environmentally friendly on the farm with 48 km of grass margins on the estate for wildlife. If we get people onto the farm then hopefully they can see what we do.”

Three barn owl manors fitted with cameras are also new to farm.

Dairy and arable farm, Kemble Farms, is opening the farm for the third year this Sunday. David Ball, farm manager said: “We have always been really well supported by people in the locality. We think it is quite important, particularly for young people to get the opportunity to visit farms and see what goes on and where food is produced."

Kemble Farms will be concentrating on the dairy side of its operation, offering people an insight into dairy farming, with a few tractor rides to keep the children entertained. “We are hoping for good weather and are keen for the public to get an insight into modern farming methods.”

Open Farm Sunday organisers LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are keen to make this the best supported Open Farm Sunday yet.

Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday manager, LEAF said: “Open Farm Sunday is a valuable day for visitors and farmers alike. There is so much to celebrate about British farming and Open Farm Sunday allows visitors to get close to nature and discover where their food comes from.”

“You can meet not only the farmer, but some of the many other skilled individuals a farmer works with every day, such as vets and agronomists. Hopefully we can inspire some farmers of the future as well.”

The following local farms will be open on Sunday, June 9.. Go to www.farmsunday.org for a full list of all activities at the farms.

  • Abbey Home Farm, 9 Burford Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5HF. 10.30am-4pm.
  • Daneway Banks Nature Reserve, The Daneway Inn, Sapperton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6LN. 11am-4pm.
  • Elm Tree Farm, Tortworth, Wotton Under Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8HJ. 10am-3pm.
  • Guiting Manor Farms, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5UX. 10.30am-3pm.
  • Kemble Farms Limited, Smerill Dairy, Kemble, Gloucestershire GL7 6BW. 12pm onwards.
  • Lotmead Farm, Oakgate, Lotmead Farm, Wanborough, Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 0SN. 11am–3pm.
  • Manor Farm, Newport Cottage, Chedworth, Gloucestershire, GL54 4AA. 11am onwards.
  • Manor Farm, The Co-operative Farms, Down Ampney Estate, Latton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5PL. 11am-4pm.
  • Middle Hill Farm, North Wraxall, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7AF. 12-2pm.
  • Old Farm, Dorn, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9NS. 11am-3pm.
  • Scrubditch Care Farm, North Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 7DZ. 11am-2pm.
  • Vowley Farm, Bincknoll Lane, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 8QR. 11am-3pm.