The UFU has praised Northern Ireland’s farming community as it prepares to ‘go public’ for Open Farm Weekend (OFW), a free event taking place next weekend.
Over the 15th & 16th June, 15 real, working farms will open their gates to the public, offering visitors an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ experience of farming and food production. A further three farms will host private tours and the event is also aligned with the Lisburn and Saintfield District Show, which is being held at Balmoral Park on Saturday (£5 admission).
With the latest research by the British Nutrition Foundation revealing that one third of UK primary pupils think cheese is made from plants, UFU Deputy President, Barclay Bell believes there is no better time to raise awareness of food production: “The role played by the local farming community in the production of safe, wholesome food is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Communicating the reality to the public is essential and we are delighted that these farmers are taking the lead by supporting Open Farm Weekend and the important food production messages which it helps to convey.”
The UFU-led initiative, which places a strong emphasis on local food, fun and education, has grown considerably since the success of last year’s pilot event which was attended by almost 6000 people.
This year the full array of farming life will be on offer to the public, from the fruitful delights of Troughton’s Armagh Apple Farm, to the mixed farming enterprise of Broughgammon Farm in Ballycastle (which previously made the headlines on BBC NI’s Farm Fixer series).
The dairy sector will also be represented by Braemar Farm in Castlerock, Weir Organic Dairy Farm in Tandragee and the Morrison family in Ballymoney. Goats will be the focal point for visitors to Loughview Farm on DivisMountain in Ligoniel, while in Tandragee, the attention will be on the free-range pigs and beef cattle of Kenny Gracey’s Forthill Farm.
OFW is supported by Business in the Community NI on behalf of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Food Programme, Bank of Ireland UK and NFU Mutual. Full information on all farms participating is available on www.openfarmweekend.com, via Facebook and on twitter @NIopenfarm), while the event will also be widely promoted on television and radio.
(Source: – Farming Life.com – Published on 09/06/2013)
