AHDB and LEAF launch drive to inspire the next generation through on-farm experiences

We have joined forces with LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) to launch Open Your Gate – a new campaign that supports farmers to deliver one million on-farm experiences for children and young people by 2031.

By opening their gates today, farmers can help shape the consumers, decision-makers and agricultural workforce of tomorrow by increasing their understanding of food production, farming and the environment through real on-farm experiences.

To inspire and help them overcome obstacles to delivering farm visits as part of the one million ambition, 80 farmers are being given the chance to take part in AHDB and LEAF’s free School Farm Visits Support (SFVS) programme, developing their knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver safe, high-quality and meaningful on-farm experiences.

Those taking part will receive: 

• Fully funded Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) training, providing the knowledge and practical guidance needed to plan and deliver safe, high-quality and engaging farm visits
• Tailored one-to-one support with a LEAF Education Specialist, helping each farmer apply the training to their own farm, from visitor routes and activities to planning their first visit and connecting with local schools
• Practical resources and ongoing support, including access to a network of new and experienced host farmers

Farmers who have already taken part in the CEVAS course have found it transformative.

Celia Smith, who has a mixed dairy, beef and arable farm in Gloucestershire, said:

"It was great to meet other farmers and hear about what they are doing as well as getting all the important information needed to open the farm up to visitors. The course leaders were really inspiring." 

Elaine Smith, of Lancashire Farm Education, was equally enthusiastic:

"We'd done a few test sessions through using the holiday club children to try different activities to see if they'd work on the farm. But I just needed to feel a little bit more confident in making sure that everything was safe and the activities were appropriate. 

“The CEVAS course is the perfect place to start because it makes you think about how you would deliver those sessions. You also get a massive amount of support following that course from LEAF and from AHDB as well. I would definitely recommend the CEVAS course – that training was absolutely invaluable."

The Open Your Gate campaign comes amid growing evidence that young people want to know more about where their food comes from but often lack opportunities to engage directly with farming.

A major study led by LEAF involving 2,500 young people found that 95% want to understand where their food comes from, 91% believe their food choices can help tackle climate change, and more than half want to know how to enter the agri-food sector.

We and LEAF believe that giving children first-hand experiences of sustainable farming can help address misconceptions, build trust in food production and inspire future careers in the sector.

Roz Reynolds, AHDB Head of Education said:

"Every farm has a story to tell, and working with LEAF we are providing the tools, training and support to help farmers host visits with confidence. By opening their gates, farmers can help children understand where their food comes from, share the pride they take in producing food and inspire the next generation through real experiences on farm.

"Open Your Gate is about creating a movement across the industry. Together, we can help deliver one million impactful farm experiences by 2031."

Carl Edwards, LEAF Director of Communications, Engagement and Education said:

"Open Your Gate is built around a clear national ambition – to give more children and young people the opportunity to experience farming first-hand and to give farmers the confidence and support to welcome them.

"Farmers should not feel that they have to work out how to host visits alone. Through fully funded training, practical resources and bespoke support, we can help them take that step safely and confidently."

Achieving one million on-farm learning experiences will require a collective effort, so we are also asking organisations across food and farming to champion the campaign and encourage farmers within their networks to take part.

Applications are now open for 80 fully funded places on the SFVS programme.