DOZENS of farms across the county will throw open their barn doors next week for a major outdoor event.

Now in its seventh year, Open Farm Sunday aims to give people an insight into farming.

Free outdoor activities on Sunday, June 17, include nature walks, tractor and trailer rides, pond dipping and feeding animals.

Organiser LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) hopes to notch up its millionth visitor in 2012.

Taking part for the third consecutive year are mother and daughter farming team Lucy and Lin Blackwell, who own Challow Hill Farm, near Wantage.

Miss Blackwell, 32, pictured, said: “I am the fifth generation of my family to farm here since 1919 and my grandfather John Froud still helps us run the farm. We love Open Farm Sunday because we enjoy showcasing what we do here. We love to entertain families with a range of activities, like sausage making, sheep shearing and collecting eggs.

“We are open all day between 10am and 4pm and some people come year after year.”

Also taking part in Open Farm Sunday is Callow Farm, at Stonesfield, near Witney. Owned by David Holloway, who will be leading nature walks, the farm will also host a farrier who will be shoeing horses, a butcher, a barbecue and some furry Mangalitza pigs.

Farm administrator Karen Bannister said: “We have a really fun day lined up for everyone who comes to see us.”

Callow Farm is open from 10am-3pm. See farmsunday.org Picture: OX52249 Damian Halliwell