June 10 was a day to be proud of. With over 400 farms opening up around the country and thousands in the industry involved on the day, it was a great success. We’re still getting in the figures but we estimate that some 150 000 people from all walks of life pulled on their wellies, packed a picnic and visited their local farm to celebrate British farming.

And what a day! With trailer rides, farm walks, sheep shearing, milking demonstrations, nature trails and treasure hunts, all the visitors shared a little piece of rural life and made the connection between food, farming and nature.

"There was something for everyone" said Roly Puzey, of LEAF "the kids were able to get up close to animals and farm machinery and grown ups could talk directly to farmers and ask about what was going on. It was a great day out for the whole family which really brought people closer to how farmers produce crops and livestock as well as manage our wonderful countryside.

"We were bowled over by the response we got from farmers wanted to get involved. A massive investment was made this year to provide farmer hosts with a great resource pack including posters, road signs, polo shirts and a whole host of goodies to help their events along. We also worked hard on the national publicity this year. With generous support from the HGCA, who ‘lent’ us their PR agency – Ceres we managed to get some fantastic national coverage including mentions on The Archers, Hello Magazine, Country Living, Farmers Weekly, The Guardian, Independent and the Daily Mail."

"None of what we’ve achieved for Open Farm Sunday 2007, would have been possible without the support of our sponsors. A HUGE thank you to all of them for their support and commitment to the initiative.

June 10^th was a day to be proud of. Farmers all over the country demonstrated their passion for what they do and how they are caring the environment and producing top quality food for us all.

Thanks to all of you who opened your gates, welcomed people onto your farms and showed all that is great about UK farming.

A big thank you to everyone who got involved in this year’s Open Farm Sunday. We look forward to doing it all again next year on the 1^st June !!

Click here for more photos of Open Farm Sunday 2007

What people are saying about Open Farm Sunday 2007… 

William Cumber, Manor Farm, Marcham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
"The day is now over - last year we were scared of being overwhelmed and did very little advertising - we got about 200 people, many of whom we knew.  This year, with the confidence that your advertising boards etc gave us we did rather more - local paper, local radio.  This year we  reckon the absolute minimum we had was 600, and it may well have been 800. Believe me the Farm Sunday polo shirt needs a wash!

Absolutely knackered now - do we HAVE to do it again next year?!!!"

Sara Pike, visiting Hartshole Farm, Gulworth, Tavistock
"What a wonderful time my son (and his mum and dad) had at Hartshole Farm, Gulworthy nr Tavistock today. The people were really welcoming, my son got a great. We pass that farm at least four times a week and it was good to meet the people there and others responsible for local farms in the area."

David, Heather, Millie & Katie, visiting Open Farm Sunday event in Lincolshire
"We have just returned home from your excellent "Farm Sunday" event. There really was something for everyone to learn about modern food production. Thanks for making our "Farm Sunday" a great day out!

Susan Lord, Dorewards Hall Farm, Bocking
I really did not think that we would get many people interested in farming but they were and really loved the experience. We have had a tremendous day here about 500 people visiting the farm and the only tears were of children NOT wanting to go home!

Claire Fehrs - A happy consumer
Had a wonderful day at a local farm (Edingley, Newark, Notts). What a great way to introduce people to farming and the local community am so glad I saw the ad and went along. I'll visit a different farm next year and find out some more!

Ian Pigott, Annables Farm, Hertfordshire
We had over 2,000 visitors to Annables Farm, Harpenden yesterday with more than 20 farmers and young farmers giving up their day to help out.  Its been a real ‘team’ effort that has been incredibly rewarding for all involved. We were blessed with perfect weather but could not have hoped for such a large audience. People travelled from as far away as south London (and quite a number from north London) for a day out on the farm."

Whirlow Hall Farm, near Sheffield
Had 940 visitors yesterday, brilliant day had by all!Willow Brook Farm Shop, Helpston

We estimate around 1200 people turned up between 10 am and 4 pm. We had to use our standby tractor and trailer to cope with the conducted tours we had arranged, something we have not had to do before. Good planning is essential and definitely paid off. In terms of comments from the public, words like 'excellent', 'very interesting' and 'super' were commonplace.

Peter and Hilary Cochran, Knowes Farm, East Lothian
"Granny, can we visit the farm where the hens lay their eggs and the pigs lay their sausages?"This anecdote was related by a customer who had been visited by her grandchildren at Easter. It was all the persuasion needed to take part in the LEAF "Open Farm Sunday" and what a day it was.

Being our first ever open day we did not know quite what to expect in terms of numbers or interest levels. It was a joy to see so many people here on the day! Over 200 people joined us on the day.

We’ve always thought that farmers have as much to learn from its visitors about their wishes for the countryside and the food they wish to eat as the public has about how to prepare a seed bed and manage the hedgerows. As we say at Knowes "Look at your landscape and lick your lips".

Allyson Barron, Labour SCCllr Oulton Waveney
Thanks for organising such an important event as Open Farm Sunday. Our Countryside is important to our environment along with our Farming Families ; we have much to be proud of.  Looking forward to supporting this event in the future as well as the projects derived from it. I was not disappointed from start to finish. I was greeted by welcoming friends and given the opportunity to sit in the cab of a combine harvester , WOW !

Liz Nottage, College Farm, Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Had a fantastic day, with over 650 visitors. Bread and cake-making demonstration, using local flour, went down very well. Lots of other local organisations all working together – a great day.

Alan Biggs and Bridget Gill
I'd like to say that my partner and I found Farm Sunday an interesting, informative and fun event.  We visited two farms near us in Herefordshire, Throne Farm and Court Farm.  Both gave very full presentations and answered numerous questions willingly and openly - Throne farm even threw in a bottle or two of cider and Court Farm an excellent tea for a donation to charity!  We are very grateful to both for the time and trouble taken.