TWO West Dorset farms are getting involved in Open Farm Sunday on June 8 – because they are passionate about showing the public about where their food comes from.

Simon Holland of Washingpool Farm near Bridport has been opening up their enterprise for around eight years.

He said: “I think we started in 2006 and we do it to let the public know what goes on behind the scenes at Washingpool and where their food comes from. It is about educating people about the issues related to farming.”

The farm has beef cattle, sheep, vegetables, fruit, flowers and plants.

The Barnes family, dad Norman, mum Elizabeth and son Christopher have the 110-acre Stevens Farm in Martinstown they have opened to the public for the past four years. As well as their beef suckler herd they have pigs, poultry and goats, a farm shop and coffee parlour.

Christopher said: “I am passionate about educating the public so they know what happens on a farm and can come and see for themselves rather than perhaps believing some of the negative publicity that we are all bad guys so they can come and see actual farmers and see what we do get up to.

The open day is on June 8 and both farms will be providing tractor and trailer rides, a chance to meet the farm animals, tours and walks and machinery displays. Both have farm shops. Washingpool Farm is open from 10am to 4pm and Stevens Farm from 11am to 4pm.