Open your farm

Open Farm Sunday is your event for you to organise, whether it's a small farm walk for 30 people or a big open day, the choice is yours!
There's a whole host of case studies to offer ideas and inspiration, and the LOFS team is on hand to help and support if you need it!

One of the first things you need to do is register your event. This offers you lots of help and support, gives you access to a host of free resources and visitors can find for your event on the OFS website if you select this option!

• It’s easy to do and FREE of charge
• Once reg­is­tered, you will receive the OFS handbook.
• If you change your mind, get in touch with the OFS team to cancel your event.

One of the many benefits of opening up your farm for Open Farm Sunday is the resources that are available to host farmers, to help you promote your event and for use on the day, the majority of these are free!

• Posters, fly­ers, post­cards and road­side banners to promote your event.
• Name badges, direc­tion­al arrows, infor­ma­tion posters, activ­i­ties, branded clothing and hand-outs are useful on the day.
• Visit the shop to order resources, or print your own from the downloadable resources section.

Even for small events, it's a good idea to have helpers on the day so you have time to enjoy the experience.

• Book your agron­o­mist, vet, local bee­keep­er and sup­pli­ers to help tell your farm­ing story
• Ask neigh­bour­ing farmers, young farm­ers, Scout Asso­ci­a­tion etc. for support.

Read the Host Farmer Handbook - It contains all the information you'll need to run your event, including Health & Safety, activity ideas and how to begin planning!

Watch our webinars for inspiration and answers to your questions.

Your event is run by you, to suit you and your farm. Whether it be a large or small, farm walk or machinery display.

Things you need to consider when it comes to planning:

• How many vis­i­tors?
• What do you want to show people? Are their any hazards that should be avoided such a slurry pits / chemical stores?
• Where will people park?
• Who's going to help!
• Read the Health & Safety information.

Here are some ideas to consider, depending on the amount of visitors you want at your event.

• Put posters and flyers up in local shops, markets and schools
• Put up a roadside banner
• Spread the word over digital communications and social media
• Double check your event has been registered and is visible on the 'visit a farm' section of our website!
• To help control visitor numbers, use the Trybooking ticketing service!