OPEN Farm Sunday takes place this Sunday.

This event has been managed by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) since it began in 2006. The first Open Farm Sunday welcomed around 30,000 visitors. Since then, Open Farm Sunday has achieved visitor numbers of more than 100,000 each year and, in 2014 had a record 207,000+ visitors.

Local farms involved this year include:

n Nunton Farm, Nunton, Salisbury SP5 4HY

Nunton Farm will be open from 11am until 4pm when visitors can meet the animals, take tractor and trailer rides, look at static machinery displays and take a hosted farm tour or self-guided walks.

Food will be available and there is a farm shop where fresh produce can be purchased.

The farm features arable crops, dairy (where the cows can be watched as they are milked in the new state-of-the-art rotary parlour), beef cattle, sheep, poultry and environmental stewardship.

Vets and other farming suppliers will also be exhibiting.

For further information email simon@nuntonfarm.demon.co.uk or call 01722 329743.

n Cranborne Farms, Pound Farm, Cranborne BH21 5RN

Cranborne Farms will be open from 11am until 3pm.

Highlights will include meeting the animals, a static machinery display and displays of how the crops are grown and where they end up.

Visitors are asked to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for an outdoor event. Car parking will be in a grass field behind the farmyard. The event will be signposted and there will be various options for food and drink in the village, including a shop, garden centre and pubs.

For further information visit cranborne.co.uk or email t.hall@cranborne.co.uk or call 0 1725 517310.

n Cools Farm, East Knoyle, Salisbury SP3 6DB

Cools Farm will be open from 11am until 5pm, when visitors can meet the animals, including the beautiful herd of Red Poll cattle, and take part in both hosted farm tours and self-guided walks.

Food will be available and there is a farm shop where fresh produce will be on sale.

The farm features beef, poultry, flowers and plants and environmental stewardship.

Farmer Quentin Edwards said: “We welcome visitors young and old to Cools Farm to see our Red Poll cattle and to learn about grass-fed beef and organic farming. You can follow our woodland walks through ancient woodland and discover how farming through the ages has affected the history of this landscape.

“We also have a variety of chickens wandering around and will probably have some chicks on Sunday as well. We mustn't forget Percy, our Jack Russell dog, who loves having visitors around, especially if they throw a ball for him.

“You’ll be able to purchase some of our organic grass-fed Red Poll beef if you wish. You can buy a burger or sausage at lunchtime and have a cream tea in the farmhouse garden.

Dogs on leads are welcome.

For further information email sunday@coolsfarm.co.uk, visit boxbeef.com or call 01747 830720.

n River Bourne Community Farm, Cow Lane, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 2SR.

There will be lots to do for families such as visiting the animals, traditional crafts including a blacksmith, coppicing, various woodcrafts, chain saw sculpting, Punch and Judy, horse-drawn carriage and pony rides, tractor trailer rides, model steam railway and model tramway, archery, dog agility, classic vehicles including tractors, cars and motorbikes, a variety of stalls, mega slide and fairground activities and delicious hot and cold food including cream teas and a barbecue.

For further information email janewilkinson@riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk or visit riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk or call 01722 330667.

On-site parking will cost £2 per car.