TOWNIES whose closest encounter with food production is the meat and veg counter at their local supermarket are to get the chance to see what goes on inside the cow shed, pig pen and how a crop is grown and harvested, writes Lindsey Sill. More than 300 farms are opening their gates all over Britain on Farm Sunday, June 11, in a bid to promote understanding between producers and their customers. The event is being organised by Leaf (Linking Environment and Farming). Anthony Steen MP for Totnes, showed his support by signing the Leaf boot at the official launch. He said Leaf's initiative was to be welcomed at a time when people were concerned about carbon dioxide emission and the 'food miles' of many supermarket items. In Devon, 12 farms are taking part, the nearest to Teignbridge being at Ide. West Town Farm, Ide, is a 160-acre mixed organic farm. 'It is absolutely vital because as people see how their food is produced they can see how healthy it is. I think people have an almost schizophrenic view of farming – the idyllic countryside which they think is there naturally but actually is all there because of farming. There is also the view of evil farmers raking in money and poisoning the countryside,' said Christine Duff. Mrs Duff helps run Organic Arts, based at the farm, which is planning all sorts of unusual experiences for the public between 11am and 4pm. As well as the more usual farm trails, visitors will be encouraged to divest themselves of shoes and boots to help 'puddle' a moat surrounding a tree circle, planted with 13 trees, one for each of the moons during the year. A Sound Walk will provide a commentary and sound effects on recent changes in farming: the most recent being the sale of the dairy herd, due to falling milk prices. The farm still has a few cows, waiting to calve, which will provide the ah! factor. There is also a small beef herd, arable, poultry, bees, orchards and vegetables which they grow for Shillingford Organics veg boxes. Visitors will be able to see for themselves measures taken to benefit wildlife (it belongs to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme), such as leaving field margins fallow and restricting grazing at certain times of the year. At Browns Norton Farm, Dartmouth, people will get an insight into what is involved in getting a leg of lamb or a couple of chops on to the plate. The 60-acre sheep farm has 500 ewes and a flock of pedigree Texel sheep, from which farmer Phil Bond breeds his rams. It will open to the public from 2pm-4pm. In Dawlish, Andrew Goodridge – who farms at South Duryard near Exeter – is holding a pony gymkhana on a few acres the family owns at Shutterton Lane/Dawlish Warren Road, starting at 9.30am. Organiser Robin Thorp said he was expecting 70-plus riders, from four years old upwards. More information on Farm Sunday events from http://www.leafuk.org">www.leafuk.org.