Free family day out to showcase life at CAFRE Greenmount during Open Farm Weekend

CAFRE staff, Lori Hartman and James Crawford, welcome visitors to Greenmount Campus, Antrim, for Open Farm Weekend. Enjoy exploring the campus and browse a wide selection of plants available to purchase throughout the event.

Families, food lovers, aspiring students and farming enthusiasts are set to get rare behind-the-scenes access to one of Northern Ireland’s leading agricultural campuses later this month as CAFRE Greenmount opens its gates for Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend.

The free two-day event at Greenmount Campus in Antrim will run on Saturday 13 June and Sunday 14 June 2026 from 11am to 4pm, offering visitors a packed programme of hands-on activities, live demonstrations and interactive experiences designed to showcase modern farming, food production and rural careers.

From sheep shearing and tractor simulators to floristry displays and ice cream tasting, organisers say the event aims to give families an engaging look at how agriculture, horticulture and food production connect to everyday life across Northern Ireland.

Hands-on attractions for families and visitors

Michael Graham, Laura Murray and Colman Byrne from CAFRE, invite you to experience everything CAFRE has to offer during Open Farm Weekend.

Visitors attending the event will be able to try their hand at milking ‘Clover’ the cow, watch live sheep shearing demonstrations and test their driving skills on tractor simulators.

CAFRE will also highlight the “farm-to-fork” journey, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about food production while sampling ice cream produced at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus.

A wide range of agriculture and horticulture exhibits will be on display throughout the weekend, alongside floristry demonstrations and family-friendly activities within the campus’ Walled Garden.

Plants will also be available to purchase during the event, while conservation and environmental organisations including the RSPB and the Ulster Beekeepers Association are expected to attend.

The event is expected to attract families from across County Antrim and beyond, particularly as Open Farm Weekend continues to grow as one of Northern Ireland’s best-known rural outreach initiatives.

Opportunity for future students to explore careers

CAFRE says the weekend will also provide prospective students and their families with an opportunity to explore the courses and career pathways available through the college.

Young people completing GCSEs or A-Levels will be able to meet staff, tour facilities and learn more about qualifications linked to the agri-food, horticulture, equine and wider land-based sectors.

The event comes at a time when the agri-food industry continues to play a major role in Northern Ireland’s economy, with employers increasingly seeking skilled workers across farming, food production, environmental management and agricultural technology.

By opening the campus to the public, CAFRE hopes to give visitors a clearer understanding of the range of careers available within the industry and the modern technology now shaping agriculture.

Part of Northern Ireland-wide Open Farm Weekend

Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend is led by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and supported by title sponsor Bank of Ireland.

Additional sponsors include platinum sponsor NFU Mutual and Schools’ Day sponsor Asda, alongside event sponsors Dale Farm, Livestock & Meat Commission NI, Pilgrim’s Europe, Thompson’s and the Irish Farmers Journal.

CAFRE Greenmount’s participation forms part of a wider programme of farms and agricultural venues opening to the public across Northern Ireland throughout the weekend.

Visitors looking for details about other participating farms can visit www.openfarmweekend.com.

Those attending Greenmount Campus are welcome to bring a picnic, although refreshments will also be available to purchase on site.

Organisers have advised that only assistance dogs on a lead will be permitted during the event.

The open weekend is expected to offer not only a free family day out, but also a valuable opportunity for the public to better understand the people, skills and industries behind Northern Ireland’s food and farming sector.