Scotland from the air: learn about our veggies on Open Farm Sunday

"The map was created by Institute researchers to highlight the diversity of Scotland’s vegetable and fruit production and help people understand where these crops are grown, where our food comes from, how much is grown locally and whether we can grow more of our food within Scotland’s borders"

A large outdoors model of Scotland, showing where our vegetables are typically grown, will be unveiled at the James Hutton Institute's Living Field in Invergowrie on Open Farm Sunday 2019, 9 June, 11 am to 4 pm.

The map was created by Institute researchers to highlight the diversity of Scotland’s vegetable and fruit production and help people understand where these crops are grown, where our food comes from, how much is grown locally and whether we can grow more of our food within Scotland’s borders.

The Institute’s site in Invergowrie is not just a farm, it’s an open-air, full-scale laboratory for cutting-edge crop trials, innovative farming techniques and research projects. It’s home to crop breeding and applied science, particularly for potatoes, soft fruit and cereal crops.

During Open Farm Sunday, visitors can try a range of free activities to show how farming and the environment can work better together.

Scotland’s newest up-and-coming soft fruit, the honeyberry will be showcased and available to taste test along with innovative and tasty new bean products; displays about the history of barley and potatoes; how farming can reduce carbon emissions; demonstrations of vertical farming technology; opportunities to learn about the importance of soil, and why it’s necessary to protect the UK’s plant health.

Children will be able to get involved in fun activities including sowing and growing plants, taking a photograph without a camera, building sand towers plus there are traditional favourites like face painting, farm machinery displays and tractor tours around the Institute’s fields.

Representatives from the Dundee Astronomical Society will be on hand to introduce children and adults to the wonders of astronomy.

Visitors can bring a picnic or grab something from the hot food catering stand. Many exhibits will be undercover, so come rain or shine the Institute will be welcoming everybody at Mylnefield Farm this year.

Open Farm Sunday, managed by Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), is one of the farming industry’s biggest success stories. Since the first Open Farm Sunday in 2006, over 1600 farmers across the UK have opened their gates and welcomed 2.2 million people onto their farm for one Sunday each year. 

A LEAF Innovation Centre since 2003, the James Hutton Institute and its forebears have taken part in Open Farm Sunday since 2006.