People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to reconnect with farming, food production and the rural environment as Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend returns from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June 2026.

Now celebrating its 15th year, the popular initiative organised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union gives schools, families and communities the chance to step behind the farm gate and experience first-hand the people, passion and care behind local food production.

With farms opening their gates across Northern Ireland, visitors will have the opportunity to meet farmers, explore working farms, see animals up close, enjoy local produce and discover more about the journey from farm to fork. Along the way, they’ll also gain a greater understanding of the role farming plays in caring for the countryside, supporting biodiversity and sustaining rural communities.

This year’s participating farms represent a wide variety of farm types, from dairy and beef farms to goat farms, organic producers and regenerative farming businesses, each offering a unique insight into modern farming and rural life. Whether it’s watching lambs being bottle-fed, seeing machinery in action or sampling local produce, every farm offers something different for visitors to enjoy.

John McLenaghan, President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union and Chairman of Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, said:

“Open Farm Weekend is all about creating meaningful connections between people, farming and food. For many families, it may be their first opportunity to visit a working farm and experience the care, responsibility and environmental stewardship involved in producing food sustainably.

“It’s also a wonderful opportunity for children and young people to learn more about the natural environment, where food comes from and the important role farming plays in shaping and maintaining our rural landscapes. We hope visitors leave with a greater appreciation for local farming and the people behind it.”

The event begins with a dedicated schools’ day on Friday 12 June, giving pupils the opportunity to experience farming in a hands-on educational setting, before farms open to the wider public on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.

Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including guided farm tours, animal handling, machinery displays, food demonstrations and opportunities to speak directly with farming families about the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture today.

To plan your visit, find participating farm details, opening times and a full list of activities at www.openfarmweekend.com

Participating farms this year include:

• Ashfield Farm (Ballycrochan Artisan Farm)Bangor
• Ballylagan Organic Farm Straid
• Ballynahone Dexter Farm, Tobermore
• Bessvale Farm, Upper Ballinderry
• Brook Hall Estate and Gardens, Londonderry
• Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle
• Bullsbrook Farm, Dromore
• CAFRE Enniskillen Campus, Enniskillen
• CAFRE Greenmount Campus, Antrim
• CAN at Lislagan Farm, Ballymoney
• Crewehill Farm, Stewartstown
• Donagh Cottage Farm, Donaghcloney
• Glebe Farm, Limavady
• Glenside Farm, Comber
• Hollow Farm, Downpatrick
• McCullagh’s Farm, Omagh
• Shanaghan Hill Farm, Katesbridge
• Slievenaman Goat Trail and Petting Farm, Newcastle
• Stonebridge Farm, Saintfield
• The Narrowlane, Stewartstown