Over 4,000 attend Agri Aware Open Farm events
Over 4,000 people attended the Agri Aware Open Farm events which were held last weekend on farms in Kildare and Galway.
The events took place on the Doran Family Dairy Farm in Donadea, Co. Kildare, and the Fahy Family Beef Farm in Ardrahan, Co. Galway.
The flagship event of Ireland’s agri-educational food body offered families a unique opportunity to experience life on a working farm while gaining insights into Irish agriculture and food production.
Agriland Media Group was the official media partner for the Open Farm events.
On Thursday (June 12), a schools' day was held on both farms with 900 primary schools students learning all about Irish agriculture.
The Doran Family Farm opened its gates to the general public on Saturday for the first of this year's Open Farm events.
Along with a self-guided tour of the working dairy farm, visitors enjoyed cookery demonstrations by chef Eoin Sheehan, live sheep shearing by Karol Devaney, panel discussions by industry experts, and complementary Mooju milk drinks supplied by Tirlán.
On Sunday, the action took place on the Fahy Family Farm with more opportunities for families to engage with farm life.
Agri Aware’s mobile farm brought pigs, hens, and sheep for children to interact with, while visitors explored woodland-themed versions of classic games, face painting, machinery displays, sheepdog trials, and cookery demos.
There were also calving and lambing demonstrations using Teagasc simulators.
Visitors witnessed first-hand where their food comes from and how it is produced sustainably. Both farms showcased the many environmental measures being implemented.
Shay Galvin, Agri Aware chair, expressed his gratitude to the farm families for allowing the events to take place on their land.
“Agri Aware’s mission of enhancing agricultural literacy is not possible without the support of people like the Doran and Fahy family who give up their farms to host these events who we are very thankful to.
“Consumers are further becoming removed from farms and knowing about where the food they consume comes from.
"Events like Open Farm help to bridge that gap between the producer and consumer – which is critical," he said.
Agri Aware is a charitable trust whose mission is to improve the image and understanding of agriculture, farming and the food industry among the general public.
The organisation delivers a range high impact educational and public awareness initiatives and projects for students and the general public.
The Agri Aware chair added: “I’d like to further thank our sponsors, The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, The National Dairy Council, the Irish Farmers’ Association, Tirlán, Fresh Milk Producers, Kildare Milk Producers, Our Food Connects and Teagasc, for their continued support of this event and all our patrons who contributed to the success of the event.”
