THE minister for agriculture visited a farm in the North York Moors to show his support of an annual farming awareness day.

Robert Goodwill, who has been the secretary of state for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since March, said he wanted to back the annual farming industry's Open Farm Sunday.

On Sunday, June 9, Mr Goodwill visited Stonebeck Gate Farm at Little Fryup near Danby, where he met members from Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), who manage the annual day across the country.

Mr Goodwill said: "Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic initiative, getting more people out into the countryside to see where our food comes from and meet the farmers who produce it.

“There are so many diverse British farming businesses and I hope that everyone who visited a farm today learned something new about what farming delivers and why it is so important – producing the food we eat, protecting wildlife and providing access to the beautiful countryside."

The day is seen as the farming industry's national open day, which showcases the day-to-day running of more than 360 participating farms in Britain.

At Stonebeck Gate Farm, Mr Goodwill was given a demonstration of sheep shearing, dry stone walling, sheepdog handling and moorland management practices.

Mr Goodwill added: "I would like to thank every farmer who participated, taking the time to welcome the public onto their farms.”

Caroline Drummond, chief executive of LEAF, said the open day provided a "fantastic platform" for the farming industry and showcased the very best of "British farming" to the public.

Ms Drummond said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Goodwill to Stonebeck Gate Farm and thank the Dawnay Estate for hosting his visit.

"LEAF Open Farm Sunday is a special day in the farming calendar. A day of celebration, uniting the whole industry to showcase the very best of British Farming.

“By coming together, we are helping to increase the public’s understanding of farming, build trust and raise awareness of the critical role farmers play, not just as food producers but as providers of healthy soil, clean water, better air quality, improved biodiversity, high animal welfare standards, public access as well as health and wellbeing.

"As we look to future changes in support payments, it is more important than ever for farmers to communicate and connect with the public.

"LEAF Open Farm Sunday provides a fantastic platform for the industry to stand together and proudly demonstrate all that our productive, profitable and progressive food and farming sector delivers.

“Our thanks to all the farmers and helpers who took part and to the thousands of visitors who got out onto farm to support them.”

The next Open Farm Sunday will take place next year on Sunday, June 7.