This week we hear why Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend is a key date in Robert Davis’ calendar each year.
“What a weekend last year’s Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend was! The superb weather in 2014 brought out the largest crowd of visitors to date, which we managed quite easily with the extra help from Lylehill and Holestone Young Farmers. As soon as UFU put the word out this year we signed up straight away and we’re already looking forward to the 2015 event!”
“When we took part in the first event in 2012 we were probably better known as an equestrian centre so over the past few years we have been able to build awareness of the ‘working farm’ side of our business. We invited lots of local food producers as well as our suppliers and service providers to come along and talk to the public about food, farming and animal husbandry.”
“We have hosted artisan food products including goats’ cheese and fudge makers, food oils and potato processors, plus rare breed meat butchers, who supplied delicious Irish Moiled beef burgers for everyone to sample what our end product tastes like. We also have had craft artists and suppliers of natural cosmetics in our indoor arena alongside a number of countryside skill demonstrations including hand-clipping sheep and wool spinning using our own sheep and their wool. We also had a great display of vintage and modern farm machinery which kept lots of the men interested!”
“We hope we gave our guests a great appreciation of countryside life and traditional skills and representatives from the Irish Moiled Cattle Society were there to talk with visitors about the rearing of this ancient variety of Irish cattle and the delicious beef they supply, which helped to reinforce the ‘farm to fork’ message.”
“Undoubtedly the event helped to promote our business but it was also great to feel part of something bigger – showing people who had never set foot in the countryside the hard work and dedication which goes into producing the food they buy in shops and supermarkets or eat in local restaurants.”
“We do a lot of work with Riding for the Disabled and any monies raised from activities at the weekend went to further the work of this worthwhile cause.”
“The feedback from the general public makes it all worthwhile. All in all, we wouldn’t miss The Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend 2015!”
