To celebrate Open Farm Sunday’s 20th anniversary, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)’s Honorary President, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, visited host farmers at the Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate, Hampshire and helped with preparations ahead of this year’s nationwide events on 7 June.
The event, hosted by LEAF and Waitrose, recognised the thousands of farmers, industry members and community volunteers who have made Open Farm Sunday one of British farming’s biggest public engagement success stories over the past two decades.
As farms across the UK get ready to welcome visitors this June, Her Royal Highness joined the team at Leckford Estate; helping set up a haybale maze and hanging welcome banners around the site for this year’s Open Farm Sunday.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness also met senior LEAF staff including Chairman, Philip Wynn and Chief Executive, David Webster; as well as Waitrose Managing Director, Tom Denyard; Director of Leckford Estate, Andrew Hoad and 20 Open Farm Sunday host farmers.
LEAF Chairman, Philip Wynn, expressed his thanks for Her Royal Highness’s commitment to promoting LEAF’s flagship initiative.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Duchess of Edinburgh for helping us show our appreciation for the farmers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who make Open Farm Sunday possible.
“For 20 years, the industry’s annual open day has helped bring people closer to farming, food production and the countryside. It is the dedication of host farmers across the UK who welcome their communities and share their stories that has made it such a trusted and much-loved national event.
“Her Royal Highness is an ardent advocate for sustainable food production, rural communities and educating young people about the countryside and careers within it. We’re thrilled to have The Duchess’s continued support as Honorary President.”
Her Royal Highness joined the LEAF and Waitrose’s Leckford teams and guest farmers by taking part in a series of hands-on Open Farm Sunday activities, from building bug hotels and worm charming to sweep netting through wildflower meadows to discover the insects and pollinators that play a vital role in food production. Guests also spent time learning new ways of showcasing the fun, engaging and meaningful ways farmers can connect visitors of all ages with food, farming and the environment.
Tom Denyard, Waitrose Managing Director comments: “We were delighted to host Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh at the Waitrose farm, to mark the 20th anniversary of Open Farm Sunday.
“It was a great occasion to pay tribute to the thousands of people in farming communities whose hard work makes Open Farm Sunday the tremendous success it is today. We know from the years of hosting Open Farm Sunday on our very own farm, that it provides a fantastic opportunity for the public to learn more about the vital role that farming plays in their communities.”
Other highlights included the presentation of a special award to East Anglian farmer Michael Sly in recognition of his unwavering support of Open Farm Sunday. He has hosted events every year since its inception, growing visitor numbers from just 12 in the first year to more than 12,000 in 2025. An increase that reflects the remarkable growth in the public’s interest to connect with farming and food production over the past two decades.
Since launching in 2006, Open Farm Sunday has given over 3.5 million people the opportunity to visit working farms, meet the people who produce their food and learn more about the vital role farming plays in the environment, the economy and rural communities.
Visit the Open Farm Sunday website to find an event in your local area on 7 June.
Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact Pinstone: Becky George – [email protected]
Phone: 01568 313 122 / 07775 561412
About LEAF
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) was established in 1991. It is a leading global charity that promotes and supports more sustainable farming to create a more resilient food and farming system.
LEAF promotes Integrated Farm Management (IFM), a whole-farm business approach that delivers more sustainable farming. IFM uses the best of modern technology and traditional methods to deliver prosperous farming that enriches the environment and engages local communities.
The LEAF Network, made up of some of the UK’s leading research centres and demonstration farms, underpins LEAF’s knowledge exchange work. It connects farmers, innovators, and industry to understand best-practice sustainable farm management and how it can be applied most effectively to each farm’s unique situation.
LEAF runs a global environmental assurance system – the LEAF Marque which was launched in 2002. It is underpinned by the sustainable farming principles of Integrated Farm Management (IFM), covering soil and water management, pollution control, crop health, animal welfare, community engagement, energy efficiency, and landscape and nature conservation. LEAF Marque businesses are independently assessed and certified against the principles of IFM.
LEAF Marque businesses currently operate in 48 countries, and most of the UK’s retailers require LEAF Marque certification on their global fresh produce supply chains.
LEAF’s education and public engagement team works with schools and farmers across the UK to bring sustainable farming to life – on-farm and in the classroom. In 2024, LEAF worked with over 26,000 young people in the UK and supported almost 1 million more through online workshops, activities, and education resources.
LEAF also manages the farming industry’s annual open day Open Farm Sunday, which every year welcomes nearly 200,000 members of the public onto farms across the UK.
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK’s largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including on its very own farm, the Leckford Estate.
Waitrose has 800 specialist counters across its shops and a Beer, Wine and Spirits team that includes more Masters of Wine than any other UK supermarket. It holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
www.waitrose.com
