Elm Tree Care Farm will welcome the public on Open Farm Sunday
In this blog:
- What is Open Farm Sunday?
- What's on offer on the day?
- Discover what care farming is
- Book a guided farm tour
On Sunday 11 June, Brandon’s social enterprise, Elm Tree Farm, will be opening its gates and welcoming members of the public on Open Farm Sunday – the national farming industry open event run by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
We took a break in 2019 having been involved four years in a row, so this will be our first big event since the pandemic and we are excited to be opening to the public once again.
Since we last got involved in the event, there’s been a lot going on at the Farm – our work with rare breeds and entering agricultural shows, new employment and placement opportunities in our farm shop, our veg box scheme, and much, much more.
We’re particularly keen to show the public how we work with people with learning disabilities and autism – from the therapeutic benefits of working with nature that we all enjoy, to showing just how vital our co-farmers’ hard work is to the success of our farm.
What’s on offer on the day
On 11 June, there will be lots to see and do here on the Farm. You can enjoy a guided tour, get crafty with Splinters woodwork, meet the animals, get up close to a tractor, learn about the history of the Farm and Brandon, follow the bee trail, and relax with great food and music.
Our farm shop will be open, selling our produce and beautiful items made by our sister enterprises, and the nursery will be opening their new houseplant haven and offering bespoke cut flowers.
This year’s Open Farm Sunday will be the 17th since the launch of the event in 2006. The annual event aims to give members of the public an opportunity to see behind the scenes of farms both large and small, and find out more about where their food comes from.
Discover what care farming is
Over 200 farms from all sectors of the industry have registered for the event, offering everything from a walk around a farm to a full day of activities. It is important to us that we are involved in events like this, as we have a unique approach to farming that is not often seen in the wider agricultural world, where people with learning disabilities or autism are rarely represented.
The people we support are at the centre of everything we do, from growing, tending, and making, to dealing with the public, fellow farmers, and the many contractors and suppliers we work with. We see the benefits of this approach every day in the confidence and pride shown by our co-farmers as they learn new skills and build relationships.
Book a guided farm tour
It would be wonderful to welcome as many of you as possible on the day (11 June). We’ll be open from 11am to 4pm so please come and share the joys of Elm Tree Farm with us.
If you’d like a behind the scenes tour, please book your tickets. Guided tours will take place at 11.30am, 1pm, and 3pm.
Lisa Allen
Elm Tree Farm Coordinator
