With two months until LEAF Open Farm Sunday on the 27 June, which will see hundreds of farmers open their farm gates to the public, organisers Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) have announced the appointment of eight ambassadors to support those taking part.
Ambassadors will share ideas to engage visitors and give practical information on how to implement social distancing. This year many farmers taking part will host small, socially distanced farm walks and talks to provide an insight into what happens on farm.
Annabel Shackleton, LEAF Open Farm Sunday manager, said: “In order to support farmers, we felt it was important to establish a strong network of ambassadors who have knowledge and experience in on-farm events and LEAF Open Farm Sunday. We are very excited to welcome five new ambassadors, and welcome back three former co-ordinators, forming a strong network to support anyone considering taking part.”
The new appointments are:
Anne Mair-Chapman (North East – England) farms with her family in North Northumberland.
Jon Myhill (East – England) is a crop-consultant, specialising in energy and forage, and Director of MB Farming, a contracting business in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Molly Biddell (South East – England) supports her family-run diversified estate in Surrey as well as working as a Policy Analyst in the Savills Rural Research team.
Rona Amiss (South West – England) is a first generation, tenanted farmer on the most southerly point of mainland UK and operates her own farm diversification.
Helen Chappell (North West – England) runs a traditional mixed dairy and arable farm that has been in the family for seven generations.
They join Andy Guy (Midlands – England), Jamie McCoy (Wales) and Rebecca Dawes (Scotland) who have all been reappointed, having worked with LEAF Open Farm Sunday for more than five years and each hosting their own on-farm events.
The ambassadors will be hosting three online farmer meetings open to anyone interested in taking part in the event, or any experienced hosts looking for new ideas.
During the short one-hour zoom call, there will be an opportunity to meet some of the new ambassadors, listen to their top tips, answer questions, shares ideas and speak to hosts.
The “LEAF Open Farm Sunday Top Tip” sessions will take place on:
- Monday 10 May, 19:30 – 20:30
- Wednesday 12 May, 12:30 – 13:30
- Friday 14 May, 08:00 – 09:00
To find out more about the ambassadors or register to host an event, visit www.farmsunday.org.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday will take place on 27 June 2021. Following registration, hosts will receive a handbook with guidance on how to ensure events comply with on-farm health and safety regulations.