Hundreds of people took the opportunity to visit Open Farm Sunday at Denhay Farm in Broadoak, near Bridport, last weekend.

The Marshwood Vale Farmers Cluster, Melplash Agricultural Society and Coppet Hill had put together a comprehensive programme of activities to help show visitors what farmers do to grow food, care for livestock and manage the environment. 

Families were taken on tours of the farm in tractors and trailers, stopping off at different points to learn about the crops that were growing, find out about the farm machinery that is used, see a newly born litter of saddleback pigs, get up close to a dairy cow, some Dorset horn sheep and meet up with some local experts in bee keeping, wildlife and other specialist fields.   

The Melplash Agricultural Society Discover Farming team also entertained the younger visitors with lots of hands-on farm to food activities, including making butter and milking a cow. 

Amanda Streatfeild, on behalf of the organisers and Coppet Hill, said: "We were delighted to be part of national LEAF Open Farm Sunday for the very first time. It was a great occasion. 

"With at least 60 volunteers from the Melplash Agricultural Society and the farming community, we were able to show our 800 visitors many of the activities that take place on local farms from soil health, machinery use, animal and wildlife habits and the magnificent countryside that is the Marshwood Vale. 

"We were very pleased to welcome families, some travelling for the day from Poole and beyond, to the farm and to have the chance to answer so many different questions."

The Melplash Agricultural Society's showcase event, the Melplash Show, will be held at the West Bay Showground on Thursday, August 25. For information on this year's show, visit www.melplashshow.co.uk