Playing at Farming Confuses the Country

Thursday 10 June 2010

Playing online farming games may be fun, but new research suggests that they are in fact disconnecting us from what happens on a real farm. One in ten of those adults who said they regularly play online farming games believe strawberry milkshake comes from either pink cows or cows eating strawberries(1), and over 11% expected to find rice growing on a British farm (2). Forty one per cent of the adults surveyed said they regularly play online farming games, with nearly two thirds of those playing for up to five hours a week.

The research commissioned by LEAF (3), organisers of Open Farm Sunday (13 June), also revealed that those who play online farming games were twice as likely as those who don't to think that cotton is farmed in Britain.  Also, one in four wouldn't expect to find chickens on a farm in this country - compared to one in ten of non game players. Despite having an interest in farming games, 11% of these players have never visited a 'real life' working farm.

Farming Champion, Jimmy Doherty said: "It's a shame that more people don't know about farming and have a greater understanding of British farming and its role in producing the food we eat. As a farmer I know how exciting food production is and love the countryside. But is it any real surprise that more people don't understand more about it when so many people have never visited a real life working farm? Luckily thanks to Open Farm Sunday there's an  opportunity for everyone to meet the farmers who produce the food they eat, see how long crops actually take to grow and what farm animals really look like.   No elephants, no orange trees - just great British agriculture up close and personal."

LEAF's research also reveals how the once popular term for birdsong 'Tweeting' has taken on a new meaning for many people.  Seven in ten adults surveyed now relate the term to messages sent on Twitter, compared to just one in ten who selected bird song.  When asked what was meant by the term 'Beetle Bank', over half of respondents didn't know, and one in ten thought it referred to a collection of pop memorabilia or a compound where old cars are stored.  A 'Beetle Bank' plays a vital role in providing habitat for a range of farm wildlife and insects, and is actually 'a strip of grass in a field', correctly identified by only 13%.

Sadly, one in ten families surveyed have never visited a working farm, and worryingly nearly one in five said that it is easier to stay indoors than visit the countryside. Seven per cent think there is nothing to do there.

Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF said: "At LEAF we are passionate about environmentally responsible farming and about people making a real connection between food and farming.  On Sunday, hundreds of farmers across the country will open their gates to the public and offer a real insight into life behind the farm gate.  From tractor and trailer rides, to sheep shearing and pig racing, and not forgetting the picnics and BBQs, there really is something for the whole family to enjoy!"

- Ends -

For further information and images, or to arrange an interview:

Naomi Barry or Amanda Wadlow

Open Farm Sunday Press Office                                

T: 01189 475956                                            

M : 07920 098498                                          

E: naomi.barry@ceres-pr.co.uk / amanda.wadlow@ceres-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

• The online survey of 3,000 UK adults was conducted by One Poll in May 2010
• Jimmy farms with his wife Michaela in Suffolk and their farm is open seven days a week including Open Farm Sunday
• LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) www.leafuk.org, which promotes environmentally responsible farming, supports farmers to produce good food, with care and to high environmental standards.
• The fifth annual Open Farm Sunday on 13 June provides a great opportunity for the public to truly get to know how their food is produced and how the countryside around them is cared for.
• Visitors will be able to learn from farmers themselves how natural plant and insect species are encouraged to thrive alongside crops, they will get a close-up look at farm animals and see how the needs of wildlife are balanced with modern food production.
• LEAF organises Open Farm Sunday and supports farmers with putting on an event that is not only enjoyable, but gives visitors a really fascinating insight into aspects of the countryside that they would not usually see or experience on an average day out.
• LEAF supports both LEAF and non-LEAF member farmers by hosting a number of workshops across the country with practical advice and tips for organising successful events.  LEAF also provides free promotional support materials and an interactive online event database to register details of farmer events.

• Food carrying the LEAF Marque logo shows that it has been grown by farmers who are committed to looking after the countryside and the environment.  LEAF farmers are subject to an independent LEAF Audit, designed to help them meet the change in demands placed on operations by legislation, the marketplace, community and the industry.
• An increasing number of farmers are signing up to support LEAF to demonstrate how they are integrating modern farming with environmental conservation.
• Principal sponsors for Open Farm Sunday 2010 are: ASDA, Defra, Farmers Weekly, Frontier, LEAF Marque, Love Food Hate Waste and Home Composting, Morrisons, National Grid, Natural England, Waitrose and Warburtons.
• The additional sponsors are: DairyCo, Dairy Crest, EBLEX, HGCA, Marks and Spencer, NFU, GrowHow, Produce World, Soil Association, Duchy College, Farm Stay UK, Wiggly Wigglers.

(1) Compared to only 2% of non game players

(2) Twice as likely as non game players

(3) Linking Environment And Farming