What is Farm Day?

Farm Day is when a farm family hosts a city family for a day of real hands-on experiences and a greater understanding of the day-to-day life of the farming family. 

Why have Farm Day?

Farm Day aims to foster a greater understanding of farming among urban Australians through a farming family sharing their life with a city family for a day of 'fun, friendship and understanding'.

The experience provides a chance for a city family to share a day with a farming family, see how a modern farm business operates, and understand why farming is important to the  urban lifestyle. 

Farming families are able to help city families understand the business of farming, showcase their farm and the work they do, and enjoy the pleasure of seeing a city family discover the world of farming.

New friendships that bridge the rural-urban divide often emerge from FarmDay.

When is Farm Day?

You will be able to participate in Farm Day on either day of the weekend May 26 or 27 2012. When you register you can nominate your prefered day to participate.

Are you up for adventure? Why not  make Farm Day a whole weekend experience and stay overnight and explore more of the region where you are matched! 

How does Farm Day work?

Farm families and city families can register to take part in Farm Day through this website. The host farm and their guests will be personally matched together based on criteria such as:

• distance they are willing to travel
• ages of children
• special interests

You will be contacted by your Farm Day matchmaker.

You will then  be sent an information pack to help you prepare for the day.

The city family will then travel to the farm for the day.

Questions and answers – general

Q) What is so special about FarmDay?

Farm Day offers city families a fun, friendly farm visit and the chance to learn more about life on the land.  It gives city families the chance to meet farmers face-to-face, share in some country hospitality, and get involved with the work that goes in to producing the food and fibre you enjoy in your homes each day.

Q) Why was FarmDay set up?

Farm Day was set up in 2006 to help foster a greater understanding of farming through a city and a farming family sharing a day of fun and friendship on a farm. Farm Day provides an experience which is increasingly uncommon for city families.

Q) Who can take part in FarmDay?

Farm Day is designed for families with school aged children. Although we do give preference to those families, we are happy to try to match any type of "family"!

 Q) Where is FarmDay?

Farm Day takes place in all states and territories of Australia.

Q) When does FarmDay take place?

In 2012 Farm Day is on the weekend of May 26 and 27.You can select a preferred day and we will match you based on your preference. 

Q) How can I take part in FarmDay?

It’s easy, just register on this site. Go to the "Registration" tab at the top of this page, follow the 3 steps to lodge  your details.  For those who wish to particpate but are not able to access the internet please ring 1300 367036 and we will register you over the phone.

Questions and answers for city visitors

 Q) Does completing my registration ensure I get a farm to visit?

 Unfortunately registering does not ensure that you will be able to take part in FarmDay. We work very hard to match as many families as possible, but there are not enough farms for all our city interest! We work hard to make sure the match between city family and farm family is as ideal as possible as this is our priority. FarmDay is not a first come first serve program. Your best way to maximise your chances of being matched are to be very flexible and to be willing to travel more than three hours, and make a weekend away. This is because the majority of our farms are more than three hours from the capital city. Of course if you live in a regional city, your opportunities are greater because travel distances are often less.

Q) What should we take when we visit the farm?

Once you have been matched with a host family we will provide you with a pack that contains suggestions for what to take, including the type of clothing you should wear. (Please be aware this may take a few weeks.) Your host family will also advise you of what you may need to make your day more enjoyable.

Q) Is there a limit to the number of people?

FarmDay is designed for a city family to visit a farming family, however families can vary in size.  As a guide, the maximum number should be no more than capacity of one car. If your family is larger than that you should note that when registering and we will work to find a host family able to cater for you.

Q) Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit. But given the nature of a farm visit it may not be enjoyable for anyone that is not steady on their feet.We also believe that school age children derive the greatest value out of the experience, younger children are welcome, but preference will be given to those families with school age children

Q) Can I choose which farm I go to?

We will certainly try to accommodate your request for the type of farm you would like to visit. When you fill out the registration form you will be asked questions such as:

• ages of children
• farming interests
• special interests
• distance you are willing to travel

This will help us give you the closest match to your requirements.

Q)  Can we stay overnight at the farm?

We do not ask our farm families to provide accomodation unless you are travelling to a remote farm. However they will be able to make suggestions for accommodation nearby. FarmDay is a great opportunity to get away to the country for a wonderful  weekend of discovery! 

Q) Do you have to pay to take part?

No, there is no charge for taking part. However, we ask that you take a plate of food to share - ask your host family what they might like - food is always a great conversation starter!

Q) Can disabled people take part?

This will depend on the disability and the facilities at the farm. It is recommended you tell us what your special needs are so we can make the best match for you. We also suggest you talk about your needs with the host farm to make sure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.

 R)  What about safety?

Farms are workplaces. It is important to remember this, and be responsible for your family at all times . The farmer will chat with you about what  aspects of the farm need particular attention ( dams, water tanks, machinery, animals etc). Please follow their instructions .  FarmDay has a comprehensive insurance policy.  As with all policies, there are exclusions to this policy. These exclusions are: horseriding, motorbike riding, watersports and aircraft activities.  If you and your host family agree that you would like to participate in any of these activities you will be given  instructions to undertake the task safely, and then asked to sign a waiver form for each family member participating, . Please only do these activities if you understand the dangers, and feel confident you can manage them safely.

Please click on the link at the bottom of the page if you would like to view our insurance policy.

Questions and answers for farming families

Q) Does completing our registration ensure we will be given a family to host?

Unfortunately this is not the case. We work very hard to ensure as many farms as possible are matched. However, our priority is to ensure the families are well matched to enable the best experience possible. Usually from the farming side, this comes down to simply not having a city family that will travel the distance or direction to your farm. We do have families that travel to remote locations, we just dont have a lot of them!  Also,it is important to remember, that what is an ordinary drive to town for you, may be an extraordinarily difficult undertaking for a city family! Each year we get better at helping city familiies undertake longer journeys - it is part of the barrier we are trying to break down. We always try to match up until the very last minute, so are keen to know if it is no longer convenient for you to be matched, or whether you are flexible enough to take someone at the last minute. Communication is the most important tool during the matching phase- please keep us informed if you are concerned at any point, and we will do our best to keep everyone informed of what is happening as the event draws near.

Q) What sort of activities should we have for the day?

This will depend on what is happening on your farm at the time of the visit.  We suggest a tour of the farm where you can explain a typical day. The city family is likely to have lots of questions and discussion will flow from there.  Children love animals so any opportunity to see or even touch animals would be very popular.  Save up a few suitable jobs to make the visit as hands on as possible so your guests get a real experience of farm life, mud/dust and all! But remember, of course, the safety of your guests at all times. Do not put them in a situation where they could potentially injure themselves. 

Q) Should we provide food?

We suggest you provide a light lunch and depending on their arrival and departure time you could provide a simple morning and afternoon tea. The city family is asked to bring a plate to share - so perhaps ask them to bring something to complement what you have planned.

Q) Should we provide clothing/boots?

The city family will be asked to bring suitable clothing. However, if you have spare waterproofs and boots they may be very useful for those farms that have had rain!

Q) Should we accommodate the city family overnight?

That is entirely up to you. There is certainly no obligation to do so. If the family is travelling a long distance you may like to suggest local accommodation options.

Q) Do we get paid for taking part?

No, it is entirely voluntary.

R) Does FarmDay cover our insurance?

FarmDay has  a comprehensive insurance policy that covers all participants of FarmDay .  As with all poilicies, there are exclusions to this policy. These exclusions are: horseriding, motorbike riding, watersports and aircraft activities. Your city family may participate in these activities at your discretion upon signing  a waiver form provided in your email kit.  We advise that you spend some time with your city family when they arrive, familiarising them with the set up of your farm, and where there is danger ( dams, heavy machinery etc).  If you have planned any activiites that are excluded from the policy, ensure you have confidence in your visitors ability to manage the   activity safely, ask them to sign the waiver, and follow all standard safety recommendations for that activity. Your email kit will have contacts for recognised OHS organisations in your state.

Please click the links below to view the FarmDay Ltd insurance documents

 Certificate of Currency - Farm Day Insurance 2012

 Renewal - Farm Day Insurance 2012  

 Important OHS information