Open Farm Sunday 2017
Open Farm Sunday was held back on the 11th June and is an annual event that we look forward to.
Open Farm Sunday started back in 2006 and has grown substantially over the years, offering a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer and the fabulous work they do producing our food, enhancing the countryside and all the goods and services farmers provide.
We pick a different farm to visit every year and this year it was the turn of North Farm in Horton, and without a doubt it was our favourite visit to date.
There was lots to see and do including tractor and trailer rides, farm animals to see, a farm walk, thatching straw demonstration include thrashing and thatching, all sorts of farm machinery, and local food and drinks on sale.
It was obviously going to be a busy day as the car park was filling up quickly, so we headed to see the machinery first.
When you are a child there is nothing better than clambering on to giant machines, pretending to drive them and finding out just how they work.
Or just give your Mum kittens as you are so high up!!
Once the kids had finished clambering over their favourite machines, we headed off to see what else the farm had to offer.
Our first stand was a competition one, where the kids were given a sheet of paper with a challenge to find the answer to the questions throughout the farm, which ranged from questions on animals to questions about the crops and the next was to guess the number of balloons in a tractor.
The difference between this Open Farm Sunday to others, was the sheer amount of activities on. Sainsbury’s were there with a couple of stands, one to plant tomato and cress seeds.
The other was to sample local produce such as strawberries and cherry tomatoes.
The barns were also filled with things to see and do, including the opportunity to see some live sheep shearing.
And the answers to their all important quiz sheet.
There was also the chance for us mums to have a sit down with a cuppa whilst the kids charged around on mini tractors.
And then that all important farm tour on a big tractor, where we found out what they were growing on the farm and what fertiliser they used (treated human poo, much to the kids amusement).
My mum is currently having her roof re-thatched, so we found the thrashing and thatching really interesting.
We found all the answers to our questions, although we did have to ask someone what a baby hare was called (Leveretes if you are wondering) and the kids earned themselves a lolly for their hard work.
We spent a good few hours exploring with the kids learning lots about farm life without really realising. Find out what Megan and Olive thought of their day out over at Charliemoos.co.uk.
Rachael Styles
Aww looks like you had lots of fun! I can verify that there’s nothing more fun than climbing on big machines, my Dad worked as a farm manager growing up and I loved going for rides on things at the weekend!
the Curious Pixie
What a wonderful day trip. Great for the kids to understand how their food gets on their plate by seeing a working farm in action.
Ting
Wow those mini tractors look like they were great fun!
Helen
I love this concept – my daughter loves tractors, so will have to keep an eye out for this event next year 🙂
Rachel
I think this is such a fantastic idea, more so because I would love to live on and run a farm x
Kirsty
What a lovely day out. The tractor ride looks so much fun. I can’t wait to do this with Mia when she is older.
five little doves
Oh so much fun!! My kids LOVE a day out at the farm, and me too! My grandad was a farmer so I grew up on the farm, I love sharing those memories with the children.
Rachel
Looks like you all had a great time, the pictures showcase the day well too!
Sophie's Nursery
Looks like loads of fun! Sophie is currently obsessed with farms & tractors 😀 x
denajayne
Looks like the kids had so much fun! I love a trip to the farm!
Emm
What an amazing event! My two would love this, they both love tractors, animals and visiting farms.
Newcastle Family Life
This looks a really interesting and fun family day out. My son would love being able to go on the tractor xx
Claire justine
Aww, what a lovely idea. Looks like lots of fun here for everyone 🙂 Lovely pictures Kara.
Stephanie
These open farm days are really good, and lots of fun for kids
Coombe Mill
I think this is the best looking Farm Sunday visit I have seen. It is full of interesting things for the children to do and very hands on. Even better you got to go along with Joanne and her family too. Farmer Nick would have serious envy at all the farm equipment which is huge compared to his collection. I didn’t know what a baby hare was called!
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Laura Nelson
Open Farm Day sounds like such a fantastic idea – educational and fun!
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz...
Looks like a fun day for the whole family to enjoy. We went to the Rural Centre near Farnham earlier this year and it was great to show them the history of farming and rural life
Kizzy Bass
We sort of live on a farm, well the kids have helped out for most of their lives as their step grandad is the farm manager. I didn’t see many open farm Sunday signs out as usual this year. Looks like you had a great day.
Claire
I think farms are family friendly and always fun! Especially I love hanging out with animals. Sounds like your family had fun!
Emma
I had no idea what a baby hare was called!! That looks like a great day out. x