Farm open day to celebrate 100th anniversary

A Lincolnshire farm is opening its gates to the public to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Visitors to Stourton Estates at Baumber near Horncastle can see displays of farming technology, a food market selling local produce and activities for children.

The event is part of Open Farm Sunday, which includes farms around the country, and owner Helen Strawson said it was a "chance to give something back to the local community".

Other farms opening to visitors on Sunday include Highgate Farm, in Holme-on-Spalding Moor, and Kirkburn Manor Farm, near Driffield, both in East Yorkshire.

Strawson said the event at Stourton would help people "learn a bit more about farming and share a bit about the challenges of farming".

"I think people drive past the field and don't know what's growing in the fields and realise it's actual food," she said.

Husband Antony Strawson is the fourth generation of the family to farm the land, which was established by his grandfather in 1926.

Helen said farming was "very challenging at the minute".

"We have to diversify the business quite broadly," she added.

They now have a herd of about 300 deer and sell venison directly and through supermarkets.

Additionally, the farm hosts events including weddings and parties as well as supplying logs and other wood products.

Open Farm Sunday is described by its organisers as an "opportunity to connect farmers and the public to discover the world of farming and all that farmers do producing food".

Other farms taking part in Lincolnshire include the Inkpot Organic Farm near Scredington and Dyson Farming at Nocton.

More details of the events are available on the Open Farm Sunday website.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, and watch the latest episode of Look North.

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