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Farming Minister backs LEAF Open Farm Sunday on North Yorkshire Moors Farm Visit
Agriculture Minister, Robert Goodwill visited Stonebeck Gate Farm at Little Fryup, near Danby in North Yorkshire on Sunday (9th June) to give his backing to LEAF Open Farm Sunday – the farming industry’s national open day.
The farm, part of Dawnay Estates, was one of over 360 farms across the UK, opening their gates to the public for the farming industry’s annual open day, run by sustainable farming charity LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming).
The Minster was met by Robert Sword, Dawnay Estate Director and LEAF Chairman, Philip Wynn. His tour of the farm included seeing sheep shearing, dry stone walling demonstrations, sheepdog handling and moorland management practices. This is the third LEAF Open Farm Sunday event at Stonebeck Gate Farm, which was organised in conjunction with the North York Moors National Park.
Farming Minister Robert Goodwill said:
“Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic initiative, getting more people out into the countryside to see where our food comes from and meet the farmers who produce it.
“There are so many diverse British farming businesses and I hope that everyone who visited a farm today learned something new about what farming delivers and why it is so important – producing the food we eat, protecting wildlife and providing access to the beautiful countryside.
“I would like to thank every farmer who participated today, taking the time to welcome the public onto their farms.”
Caroline Drummond, LEAF Chief Executive, added:
“We were delighted to welcome Mr Goodwill to Stonebeck Gate Farm and thank the Dawnay Estate for hosting his visit. LEAF Open Farm Sunday is a special day in the farming calendar. A day of celebration, uniting the whole industry to showcase the very best of British Farming.
“By coming together, we are helping to increase the public’s understanding of farming, build trust and raise awareness of the critical role farmers play, not just as food producers but as providers of healthy soil, clean water, better air quality, improved biodiversity, high animal welfare standards, public access as well as health and wellbeing. As we look to future changes in support payments, it is more important than ever for farmers to communicate and connect with the public. LEAF Open Farm Sunday provides a fantastic platform for the industry to stand together and proudly demonstrate all that our productive, profitable and progressive food and farming sector delivers.”
“Our thanks to all the farmers and helpers who took part and to the thousands of visitors who got out onto farm to support them.”
Next year’s LEAF Open Farm Sunday will take place on the 7th June 2020. For up-to-date campaign information, like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LEAFopenfarmsunday, or follow us on Twitter @OpenFarmSunday
Click here to view the full press release.