TV PRESENTER, JIMMY DOHERTY TEACHES KIDS ABOUT THE COUNTRYSIDE AND HOW THEIR FOOD IS MADE

Figures suggest that 41% of British adults regularly play online farming games, with nearly two thirds of those playing for up to five hours a week. But whilst these games may be fun, research suggests that they are in fact disconnecting us from what happens on a real farm.
• Those who play online farming games were twice as likely as those who don't to think that cotton is farmed in Britain.
• Over 11% expected to find rice growing on a British farm.
• One in four wouldn't expect to find chickens on a farm in this country

But it's not just those playing online games that are disconnected with the countryside. Sadly, one in ten families have never visited a working farm, and worryingly nearly one in five said that it is easier to stay indoors than visit the countryside with 7% thinking there is nothing to do there.

The research commissioned by LEAF, organisers of Open Farm Sunday (13 June), also reveals that:
• 'Tweeting' has taken on a new meaning for many people. 7 in 10 adults relate the term to messages sent on Twitter, compared to just 1 in 10 who associated to bird song.
• Over half of respondents didn't know what is meant by the term 'Beetle Bank' -- 1 in 10 thought it referred to a collection of pop memorabilia or a compound where old cars are stored. In reality, 'Beetle Banks' play 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%.

Organised by LEAF, Open Farm Sunday is an annual event where over 400 farmers across the UK 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.

Events up and down the country take place on Sunday, 13th June, to find information on a participating farm near to you, log onto www.farmsunday.org.

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