Open Gates, Open Hearts: Preparing for a Successful Open Farm Day

The sun warms the fields, lambs frolic in the spring air and May arrives as a pivotal time for UK farmers. With National Walking Month upon us and the eagerly anticipated and upcoming Open Farm Day on June 8th, 2025, your farm is poised for a unique opportunity. Beyond the usual spring routines, you'll be welcoming the public onto your land and sharing the art of your operation with the community. At Farm & General Insurance, we understand this is more than just a day out; it's also a strategy for modern farm diversification.

As the global agritourism market continues its impressive growth, projected to expand at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2023 to 2030 according to Grand View Research, farmers are increasingly recognising the value of opening their gates to the public. This trend is further supported by the strong consumer preference for local produce, with a recent survey by LEAF indicating that 86% of UK consumers prioritise buying British food.

Junes’ Open Farm Day is a fun outing and a powerful tool for diversification. It allows you to create a unique experience, translating into direct sales through farm shops and produce stalls through to educational tours that deepen consumer understanding. It can even be a stepping stone to further agritourism ventures, like farm stays or workshops.

Protecting Your Farm and Visitors

Welcoming the public onto your land brings not only opportunities for farm diversification but also a layer of increased liability. Therefore, it's essential to protect your farm and your visitors with robust farm insurance coverage. Farm & General is here to ensure your policy is tailored to your needs with a range of products.

Public Liability Insurance: This is the cornerstone of your coverage. It protects you against claims if a visitor is injured or their property is damaged on your farm. The ABI has released guidance on the importance of adequate public liability insurance for businesses engaging with the public. Ensure your policy covers the specific activities planned for Open Farm Day.
Employer’s Liability Insurance: If you employ staff or volunteers for the event, this is legally required. It protects you against claims if they are injured at work. Learn more about our comprehensive Employers’ Liability Insurance options at Adler Fairways.
Event Insurance: Consider event-specific protection to cover potential losses due to cancellation, adverse weather, or damage to temporary structures.
Product Liability Insurance: If you sell farm products, ensure your policy covers claims if those products cause injury or illness.
Business Interruption Insurance: This can help recoup lost income if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from holding the event.

The Allure of Open Farm Day

Open Farm Day is an opportunity to transform your farm into a vibrant hub of community engagement and diversified income. In essence, it's about crafting an immersive experience that resonates with your visitors, leaving a lasting impression and fostering a deeper connection to your farm. But it's also about understanding the increased risks and ensuring your farm insurance is robust enough to support this expansion whatever the activity on your farm.

Direct Sales: Showcase the best of your produce, preserves and crafts through farm shops, produce stalls and refreshments to generate significant revenue. Ensure your product liability insurance covers all items sold and that your public liability covers any temporary structures used for sales.

Educational Tours: Offer guided tours and demonstrations such as sheep shearing or crop harvesting to educate consumers about sustainable farming and the origins of their food. Conduct thorough risk assessments ahead of time for tour routes and demonstration areas, documenting all safety measures. Ensure your farm insurance covers guided tours and that it is sufficient for the number of people that will be taking part.

Relationship Building: Connecting with the community fosters goodwill and builds a loyal customer base. Use the event as an opportunity to showcase your farm's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. Have clear procedures in place for handling visitor complaints or incidents and documenting all interactions. Ensure that these procedures are communicated to your policy provider.

Agritourism Expansion: Open Farm Day can be a steppingstone to further agritourism ventures, such as farm stays or workshops. If considering farm stays or workshops, review your farm insurance policies to ensure they cover these activities. Consult with us to discuss any necessary policy adjustments, as these types of farm diversification greatly change your farm’s risks.

Addressing National Walking Month and Rights of Way

May also brings National Walking Month, increasing public access to rights of way across your land. The friendly walkers, the curious ramblers - they too are part of your story. Ensuring those pathways are clear, those gates are sturdy and those spraying operations are conducted with utmost care, is paramount. You’re not just managing your land; you’re managing a shared space.

Rights of Way Maintenance:

Ensure all rights of way are marked and free of obstructions.
Place clear signage warning walkers of potential hazards, such as livestock or machinery.
Maintain gates and styles to ensure safe access.
Document all maintenance and signage efforts. This meticulous record-keeping is vital in the event of an insurance claim.

Spraying Operations:

Plan to spray operations to minimise risks to walkers.
Provide clear warnings and temporary diversions when spraying near rights of way.
Adhere to all regulations regarding pesticide application.
Ensure your insurance policy covers spraying operations near public rights of way.

Livestock Management:

Ensure livestock are docile and that they cannot easily escape fields that the public will have access to.
Ensure that proper fencing is in place.
Document your livestock management practices, including fencing inspections and temperament assessments.

Managing rights of way responsibly isn't just about compliance; it's about building trust and goodwill with the community. By demonstrating your commitment to public safety, you enhance your farm's reputation and foster positive relationships with those who enjoy the countryside.

FarmCover: Your Partner in Diversification

At Farm & General, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with farm diversification. We’re here to help you navigate the farm insurance landscape and ensure your farm is adequately protected. Contact us today to review your coverage needs and ensure you’re ready for a successful Open Farm Day. We want to help your farm thrive.