Around 2000 people visited Fife farmer Edward Baxter's Gilston Mains on Sunday 7 June for Open Farm Sunday 2009.

Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), Open Farm Sunday offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside of Fife.

Visitors also had the opportunity to meet ‘celebrity’ special guest, actor Stephen Purdon aka Shellsuit Bob! He got into the swing of things by trying his hand at sheep shearing and signing autographs for fans.

There were calves, pet lambs and a display of vintage tractors alongside some state-of-the-art modern machinery. A team from Quaker Oats also had a demonstration telling the story of oats.

The scientists from SCRI, Scotland’s world renowned centre for crop and plant research, showed off the work they do on sustainable farming – that means methods of agriculture that not only protect the natural environment but can encourage the spread of wild flowers and all sorts of wildlife.