The Jersey Royal Company, the Island’s biggest potato grower and exporter, is participating in Open Farm Sunday on 10 June, from 10 am to 4 pm, which is taking place in a field behind Jersey Zoo.
The company’s marketing director, William Church, says there will be opportunities to ride on farm machinery, pick potatoes and meet members of the industry. There will also be tours of the processing factory at nearby Peacock Farm where the crop is prepared for export to the UK.
‘The Jersey Royal season affects everyone in the Island and Open Farm Sunday is a brilliant way to engage with the general public,’ he said. ‘There will be opportunities to learn more about what we do and what goes into growing our wonderful potatoes.’
Open Farm Sunday is organised by Linking Environment and Farming (Leaf) a UK-based agricultural accreditation body, with members worldwide and in the Island including the Jersey Royal Company.
Leaf members have to commit to sustainable food production and follow high standards of farming practices.
Membership is growing in the Island as farmers, arable and dairy, have to join by the end of next year, if they wish to receive government subsidies, as part of Rural Economy Strategy, a five-year initiative introduced in 2017.
Since the first Open Farm Sunday in 2006, over 1,600 farmers across the UK have opened their gates and welcomed two million people onto their farms. Last’s year event attracted 250,000 people to farms across the British Isles, including the Jersey Royal Company’s event.
Entry to this year’s event is free – as are supplies of freshly dug Jersey Royals – with parking on site. Follow direction signs from main roads leading to the Zoo.
