Today Jim visited Hainey Farm in Barway which had opened its gates for the sixth Open Farm Sunday along with hundreds of farms up and down the country.  Organised by farming charity LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), Open Farm Sunday is an opportunity to discover the story behind our food and is a great day out for the whole family.

Jim saw for himself how Farm Manager Charles Shropshire and Environmental Manager Lyndsey Rolfe grow 21 million sticks of celery every year, whilst caring for the countryside around them and joined visitors to hear about the conservation work carried out on the farm, including the new reedbed which it is hoped will attract many birds including bitterns and lapwings.

Jim said, “Open Farm Sunday is a wonderful opportunity for people see what goes into producing the food that ends up on our plates – and particularly to see farms that are doing the double job of producing our food and taking care of our wildlife and countryside for future generations. At Hainey Farm they’re working towards Protected Food Name status for their celery, alongside other local growers, as well as encouraging wildlife to thrive by developing a new reedbed.”

Estate Manager for Hainey Farm, Roger Leonard, who has been a farmer for over 43 years said:  “As a LEAF demonstration farm we are passionate about sharing what we do with the public and helping them have a better understanding of how we produce food for them to enjoy while looking after the environment too. Open Farm Sunday offers a great chance to find out at firsthand how we manage precious resources like water, which is essential for growing celery, whilst also making sure there is a thriving habitat for wildlife that live on the farm.”

For more information visit www.farmsunday.org.