Locals gear up for open farm weekend

Farmers in Doagh, Templepatrick, Randalstown and Glarryford are gearing up for the first ever Open Farm Weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June in what promises to be a fun-filled event for all the family. The initiative, organised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union, will see 14 farms across Northern Ireland welcome the public onto their farm to tell the story behind local food.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jun 2012, 11:27 BST

John Thompson from UFU said, “We’ve been working on this weekend for a long time and we’re all very excited that it is finally here! I’ve been talking to a few of the farmers in Antrim about their events and anyone coming along on the day is sure to have a fantastic day with food sampling, sheep-shearing, giant burger eating contests as well as the chance to meet cows, sheep, alpacas and micro-pigs!”

Hugh Reid from Dundermotte Farm, Glarryford said, “We’ve been busy planning a great fun day for everyone with face painting and bouncy castles for the young ones, walks to the old Norman Moate and demonstrations of how we make our delicious Dundermotte Farmhouse Ice Cream. There’ll also be bee-keeping demonstrations, pony-rides and guided farm walks.”

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Dundermotte Farm will be open on Saturday from 10am – 4pm and open on Sunday between 3pm and 5pm for “Worship in Wellies.”

The other three participating Co. Antrim farmers are:

Kane Farm, Doagh: A commercial poultry farm supplying quality chicken to processors such as Moy Park, Kane Farm will allow people to see how chicken is reared for consumption as well as giving everyone the chance to meet a whole range of other farmyard animals. Visitors can also look forward to sampling some delicious chicken courtesy of Moy Park. Kane Farm will be open on Saturday 23rd June from 10am-4pm.

Laurelview Farm, Templepatrick: A mixed use farm and equestrian centre, Laurelview Farm has an enormous variety of animals from horses and ponies to performing goats, alpacas and micro-pigs! Laurelview will also be hosting a mini farmers market as well as sheep-shearing demonstrations and displays of vintage farm equipment. Laurelview Farm will be open on both Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June from 12pm – 6pm.

Hillstown Farm, Randalstown: a beef, sheep and pig farm, Hillstown has a wide variety of rare breed animals available to meet during Open Farm Weekend. With their own on site farm shop and chef, visitors to Hillstown will have the chance to sample lots of their award-winning sausages and even compete in their Man vs Food eating challenge. Brave souls can attempt to defeat the enormous “Hillstown Humdinger” – the 2lb burger behemoth with everything on it! Hillstown Farm is open on Saturday from 10am-5pm.

There are ten other farms taking part in Open Farm Weekend across Northern Ireland. For a full list visit the website at www.openfarmweekend.com or contact the organisers on Facebook or Twitter.

Related topics:Northern IrelandUlster Farmers' Union