Nationwide Open Farm Day launched to reconnect Kiwis to their food

A new initiative aiming to connect Kiwis to their food and their land is launching next month.

The newly announced initiative, Open Farms, will see Kiwi farmers across the country open their gates on Sunday March 1st in order to give people a chance to take a look at farming life and help them reconnect with their food, farmers, and the land.  

“It’s a free day out for Kiwi families to experience farm-life and see where their food comes from,” says Open Farms founder Daniel Eb.

 “A lot of people want to feel closer to the land, to better understand how our food is grown and to meet the people who grow it. Open Farms is about supporting farmers to share those experiences with urban Kiwis. From meeting the animals on a sheep & beef farm, touring regenerating bush on a dairy farm, learning how to compost on a permaculture plot or simply enjoying a picnic on a real Kiwi farm”.

Those who show up to an open day held on a sheep & beef farm can expect activities like farm walks to, bush tours, animal displays and more. Activities differ depending on the type of farm visited.

Open Farms host and Hawke’s Bay sheep & beef farmer Greg Hart says the project is a way to share his family’s love of the land with others. “As regenerative farmers, we take a lot of meaning and joy in producing nutritious food for our urban cousins and caring for the land. We are so excited to share our passion for farming with our community and we hope they will enjoy a fun-filled day out and learn something new.”

Eb says that Open Farms was inspired by a UK initiative; Open Farm Sunday. Now in its 14th year, the nationwide event attracts 300,000 visitors to 350 farms every year. “Some events have evolved into community festivals; others are farm walks for a few dozen people. The model works because farmers share the things they’re proud o,”

"What we have to do is just kind of go back to basics a little bit and shake each others' hands, look at each other in the eye."

Those keen to visit a farm should visit the Open Farms website to browse through and register for local participating farms.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is proud to support this initiative to ensure that Open Farms is free for the public to attend.

For more information, farmer hosts and visitors can visit www.openfarms.co.nz.