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AHDB and LEAF launch Open Your Gate campaign to inspire the next generation through one million on-farm experiences.
We are delighted to be joining forces with AHDB to support farmers to deliver one million on-farm experiences for children and young people by 2031.
We are delighted to be joining forces with AHDB to support farmers to deliver one million on-farm experiences for children and young people by 2031 - helping the next generation better understand where their food comes from, how it is produced and the role sustainable farming plays in protecting the environment.
Launched on 22 July 2026, Open Your Gate is a national campaign encouraging farmers to open their gates and give children and young people meaningful opportunities to experience farming first-hand.
For LEAF, the campaign builds on our long-standing work connecting people with farming and supporting farmers to communicate the story of sustainable food production. By giving young people the opportunity to experience farming for themselves, we can help build understanding, challenge misconceptions and inspire the consumers, decision-makers and agricultural workforce of the future.
The ambition is to deliver one million on-farm experiences by 2031. Achieving this will require farmers, educators and organisations across the food and farming sector to work together.
Supporting farmers to open their gates
We know that farmers are often keen to engage with schools and young people, but may need additional confidence, knowledge and practical support to make it happen.
To help overcome these barriers, 80 farmers will have the opportunity to take part in the free School Farm Visits Support (SFVS) programme.
The programme combines fully funded training with tailored support from LEAF Education Specialists, helping farmers develop the skills and confidence to create safe, engaging and meaningful on-farm experiences.
Participants will receive:
- Fully funded 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 from a LEAF Education Specialist, helping farmers apply the training to their own farm – from developing visitor routes and activities to planning their first experience 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 CEVAS have highlighted the value of the training and support.
Celia Smith, who runs 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, also found the training invaluable:
“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.”
Young people want to know more about farming
The campaign responds to a clear appetite among young people to better understand food, farming and the environment.
A major study led by LEAF, involving 2,500 young people, found that 95% want to understand where their food comes from, while 91% believe their food choices can help tackle climate change. More than half also said they want to know how to enter the agri-food sector.
These findings demonstrate the importance of creating more opportunities for young people to engage directly with farming.
First-hand experiences can bring food production to life in a way that cannot be replicated in the classroom alone. They provide opportunities for young people to ask questions, see farming in action and develop a better understanding of the decisions farmers make to produce food while caring for the environment.
Carl Edwards, LEAF’s 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, while giving farmers the confidence and support they need to welcome them.
“Farmers should not feel that they have to work out how to host on-farm experiences alone. Through fully funded training, practical resources and bespoke support, we can help them take that step safely and confidently.
“We know from our research that young people are curious about where their food comes from and how farming can contribute to a more sustainable future. Giving them the opportunity to experience farming for themselves is a powerful way to build understanding, connection and inspiration.”
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.”
Help us open the gates
Delivering one million on-farm experiences will require a collective effort across the food and farming sector.
AHDB and LEAF are encouraging farmers to consider how they could open their gates and organisations across the sector to champion the campaign and encourage farmers within their networks to take part.
Applications are now open for 80 fully funded places on the School Farm Visits Support Programme. Farmers interested in finding out more and applying can find out more here.