IF YOU have ever wondered what happens down on the farm, this weekend gives you the chance to find out.

June 12 is Open Farm Sunday when the public are invited to see how the agricultural industry operates, how food is produced and how farmers care for the environment.

This is the sixth Open Farm Sunday is run by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF). Several West Dorset farms are taking part this yea including Denhay Farm and Washingpool Farm near Bridport and Stevens Farm at Martin-stown near Dor-chester.

This is the second years that Stevens Farm has taken part in Open Farm Sunday and Norman Barnes, who runs the farm with his son Christopher, says that the public and farmers alike benefit from the ‘open door’ policy.

On Sunday, children will be able to climb on and explore farm machinery, meet animals in the petting corner an enjoy guided walks round the farm, while adults can find out more about how local food is produced and discover more about how farms are run.

Every visitor can also enjoy locally produced food in the farm café and can buy produce at the well-stocked farm shop.

He said: “The public like it because the children enjoy climbing on the machinery, sitting in the massive tractors and meeting the small animals we have in the petting zoo. We will also have a sow and her week-old piglets and pigs and the public go hand-in-trotter.

“Also, adults like to learn a bit more about what’s going on and how their food is produced. My son Christopher also takes guided walks round the farm and is only too happy to answer people’s questions as they go.”

Norman added: “We get two things out of the open Sundays. We get a raised profile for the farm and shop and it is also good to get out and meet people.”

Caroline Drummond, chief executive of LEAF, organisers of Open Farm “Whatever you do at an Open Farm Sunday event on June 12, it is a great opportunity to experience real farming at first hand and to meet Britain’s farmers. Just as each farm is unique, each Open Farm Sunday event is unique.”

She added: “LEAF supports farmers with putting on an event that is not only enjoyable, but gives visitors a really fascinating insight into aspects of the countryside that they would not usually see or experience on an average day out.”

Stevens Farm at Martinstown, Dorchester will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free.

To find out more about LEAF and Open Farm Sunday call 02476 413911 or visit farmsunday.org or leafuk.org