FARMERS across the county will be opening their gates this Sunday (June 11) as part of a national celebration of the industry.

LEAF Open Farm Sunday is farming’s annual open day and has been the go-to event in the calendar since 2006, offering a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get closer to farming and the people that make it happen.

Each event is unique, each farm is different and every farmer too, but what they all share is a passion for farming, amazing expertise, and a commitment to caring for the countryside.

Some farms have been passed down through the generations, others are managed by those who have chosen farming as their career; each has its own special story to tell and LEAF Open Farm Sunday is the ideal chance to come and hear it. 

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Visitors are encouraged to meet the farmers, their families and other industry professionals, discover first-hand how farmers support our wellbeing through their care of the environment, the sustainable production of our food and how they manage the countryside to help work towards net zero and mitigating climate change.

The Herefordshire farms taking part are:

Dinedor Cross Farm, HR2 6PD - 11am to 3pm

Dinedor Cross Farm is a small family run farm with mostly pedigree stock.

There are Ryelands, Coloured Ryelands, Jacobs and Black Welsh Mountain sheep, as well as a small herd of pedigree Britsh Long Horn cattle. The farm also has a few  pedigree Berkshire pigs and, to add to the collection, there are also boar goats.

Merrivale Farm, HR2 8BA - 11am to 4pm

Come and meet the cows at this Little Birch farm and see how they are milked through its three milking robots. There will be guided tours showing you what the farmers do, while tractor and trailer rides will take you to the top of the farm where you can see some spectacular views of Herefordshire.

Teas, coffees and cakes will be available alongside the farms very own milk and milkshakes. Donations will be welcomed towards We Are Farming Minds; however, booking is essential by emailing hello@merrimilk.co.uk with your name, number in your party and contact details. 

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AJ & CI Snell, HR2 8JS - from 11am (single farm tour finishing at 1pm)

You can experience a tour of the conventional and organic soft fruit farm at Windmill Hill in Harewood End, viewing fields of strawberries, blackberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants, as well as seeing irrigation lakes and woodlands. 

The farm recently won Fruit Grower of the Year in the National Arable and Grassland Awards 2023. 

Awnels Farm, HR8 2NW - 10am to 5pm

At The Downs Malvern in Colwall, you can feed the farm's two rare breed Oxford Sandy and Black pigs and its Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep with their lambs.

Collect eggs from the farm's quails and Cream Legbar and Cuckoo Maran chickens. Children can also play in the woodland areas and build dens while enjoying the wooden adventure play equipment. The farm is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so keen walkers can enjoy the public footpaths and access the beautiful Malvern Hills.

Wye Organic, HR9 6JJ (tours at 11am and 3pm - arrive 30 minutes beforehand)

Wye Organic is based at Home Farm in Courtfield, Welsh Bicknor, where you can see where the vegetables are grown, how the meat is produced and the flowers are grown. There will be a BBQ with Wye Organic burgers and a vegetarian option, while you can buy cut flowers, meat and veg to take home.

The farm opens at 10.30am, with free tours taking place at 11am and 3pm.