OPEN Farm Sunday is one of the farming industry’s biggest success stories.

This year’s event will take place on June 8 – a day for the industry to “open its gates”

and welcome people on to farms to discover the story behind their food and the vital role farmers play in caring for the countryside.

LEAF chief executive Caroline Drummond said: “2013 was a record-breaking year, with a massive 200,000 people visiting 365 farms.

Since it began in 2006, more than one million people have visited an Open Farm Sunday event.

“This is a huge achievement we can all be proud of.

“The importance of providing people with opportunities to see how their food is produced and their countryside is cared for, has never been more critical.

“Events earlier this year brought into question the integrity of our food chains and highlighted the disconnection many people still feel with where their food comes from and how it is produced.

“Open Farm Sunday has a crucial role in addressing these issues: bringing communities together, raising the profile of the industry, giving people the opportunity to meet the farmers who produce their food and finding out why farming matters.

“Thank you to each and every one of our host farmers and their helpers who together put on some inspirational and engaging events.

“We look forward to working with you to ensure the success of Open Farm Sunday continues in 2014 and beyond.”

For further information email leafopenfarmsunday @nfu.org.uk or call the campaign team on 02476 858680.