Chat with cattle and truck along on a tractor as farms across Kent open their gates for Open Farm Sunday. Chris Price reports.

Something as simple as the smell of hay and the feel of the soft hair on a pig’s back can seem out of this world to urban families.

The Garden of England might be on their doorstep but getting to grips with the farming community feels alien to many, something which Open Farm Sunday is changing.

More than a dozen farms across the county are letting people in to see their everyday chores of shearing sheep, milking cows, keeping bees and riding tractors.

Visitors can try their hand at countryside pastimes like clay pigeon shooting and pony rides and can be taken on farm tours by farmers.

“You get a sense of pleasure when you see people on the farm,” said farmer Andrew Lingham of Court Farm in Halling, near Rochester. “Farming is becoming a lonely occupation and to see families arriving and appreciating the countryside is a real buzz.”

Farmers’ markets run at many of the locations and visitors can see how the farmer’s work ends up as the food served at the dinner table.

“People need to know where their food comes from,” said Andrew. “They can come here and buy their produce from where it is made and you can taste the difference.”

Families can also take part in the first ever National Farm Pollinator Survey. It aims to help farmers learn more about insects like bees, flies and butterflies, which are important for key crops such as soft fruits, oilseed rape and tomatoes. It has been estimated that insects like these are worth £400 million a year to the UK economy.

As well as watching the work of the farm, families can get their hands dirty and try their hand at a few farming trades. Letting people have a go at sheep sheering is something Andrew is slightly nervous about.

“It is the first time we have done it so we will find out,” he said.

“It is tutored – we don’t just let people loose with the shears. There are lots of experiences to be had on the farm for a good family day out.”

Taking part

Belmont, Belmont House, Throwley. Details on 01795 890202 or www.belmont-house.org

Bore Place, Commonwork, Bore Place, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge. Details on 01732 463255 or www.commonwork.org (open Sunday, July 15, only)

Chalkpit Farm, Bekesbourne, Nr. Canterbury. Details on 01227 830964 or www.essentiallyhops.co.uk

Court Farm, Halling, Rochester. Details on 01634 240547 or www.courtfarm.org

H F & J H Glover, Glovers Farm, Hartley Bottom Road, Hartley, Nr Longfield. Details on 01474 872970 or www.gloversfarm.co.uk

Homewood School Farm, Ashford Road, Tenterden. Details on 01580 764222 or www.homewood-school.co.uk

J.E Scutt & Son, Badlesmere Court Farm, Faversham. Details on 01795 539091

Karoben, Park Farm, Smarden, Ashford. Details on www.karoben.co.uk

Kent College School Farm, Moat Farm, Moat Lane, Rough Common, Canterbury. Details on 07525 235790

Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone. Details on 01622 621242 or www.kentlife.org.uk

Monkshill Farm, Monkshill Road, Faversham. Details on 01227 752778

Princess Christian’s Farm, Riding Lane, Hildenborough. Details on 01732 838408 (open Saturday, June 16, only)

Romshed Farm, Underriver, Sevenoaks. Details on 01732 463372 or www.romshedfarm.co.uk

Roundoak Farm, Heniker Lane, Sutton Valence. Details on 07971 652813 or www.roundoak-hebridean.co.uk

Silcocks Farm, Honour Farm, St Michaels, Tenterden. Details on 01580 762395 or www.silcocksfarm-organics.co.uk

Woodlands Farm, Shooters Hill, Welling. Details on 02083 198900.

Open Farm Sunday takes place on Sunday, June 17. Wear appropriate clothing, especially if it rains, as you will be walking around working farms. Details onwww.farmsunday.org