Essential Tips You Need for a Successful Farm Open Day

Picture this: sunrise spilling over those bumpy hills, fresh dirt hanging in the air, and you—maybe a little jittery—gearing up for what might just be your farm’s biggest day yet: Open Day. If you actually caught yesterday’s post (if not, hey, you snooze you lose, but in case you want to look it over, here’s the link), you already know an open day isn’t just about parading your sheep or showing off your shiny tractors. You’re not just out here tossing flyers at random folks, crossing your fingers someone remembers your face. Nope. You’re out to make some noise, turn total randos into die-hard fans, and get people hyping your eggs like they’re some kind of backyard treasure.

So let’s get into it. I’m talking real-deal, can’t-miss tips to turn your open day from “nice” to “holy cow, when’s the next one?” Imagine this—boots caked in mud, folks laughing their heads off, claiming your eggs are basically life-changing. You want your farm to have that legendary, “did-you-hear-about-last-weekend?” energy. Go big on the memories, set the tone, and I guarantee they’ll be texting their friends before they even hit the road home. Let’s be real—this is gonna be one for the books.

Get the Word Out: Don’t Let All That Effort Go to Waste

You’ve put in the work, so make sure people actually show up.

• Blow Up Social Media

  • Drop some sneak peeks, toss up random behind-the-scenes pics, and hype the wildest stuff. Honestly, if you can’t slap a meme on it, did it even go down?

• Partner Up

  • Buddy up with local spots—let the bakery throw in some coupons, or get the coffee shop to plaster a poster on their window.

• Email & Text Reminders

  • Blast out a quick reminder email or ping the group chat—folks are forgetful, a little push never hurts.

• Get Noticed with Flyers

  • Strategic Placement:

    • Think coffee shops, libraries, laundromats, grocery store cork boards, campus bulletin boards—basically, anywhere people are bored enough to actually read what’s on the wall.

• Newspaper & Newsletters

  • Local Paper Power:

    • Drop a catchy blurb or a quirky ad in your neighborhood rag. There’s always that one guy who reads the classifieds with his morning coffee like it’s a ritual.

• Community Newsletters:

  • Those things get passed around more than you’d think. HOAs, faith groups, rec centers—they all have newsletters, and someone’s reading them.

Crank it up: Turn Your Launch Day into Pure Chaos (in the Best Way)

Alright, so you want launch day to slap? I’m talking people glued to their screens, blowing up their group chats, and maybe even losing a little sleep over what you’re cooking up. You want buzz? You want hype? Buckle up. Here’s the playbook—no sugarcoating, just straight-up tips, sneaky tricks, and the kind of energy that gets your thing blowing up way beyond your group of diehards. Let’s make ‘em talk.

1. Drop the Tease: Make 'em Curious (and a Little Nosy)

Go Heavy on Sneak Peeks

Share the “almost but not quite” moments. We’re talking pure, unfiltered mayhem here—like, there’s literally a goat on the table (don’t ask), pies that should probably come with a warning label, and staff giving some Olympic-level eye-rolls at the “unique” decor choices.

Honestly, if you scroll through your camera roll, it’s not the perfect shots that make you laugh out loud—it’s the ones where someone’s mid-sneeze, or your friend’s making that weird face because nobody warned him the flash was coming. Those are the photos that get sent in group chats for years.

And for captions? Make ’em sound like you. Toss in a dumb pun, drop a meme, maybe even roast yourself a little. Real always wins over flawless.

Behind-the-Scenes Gold

Post time-lapses of your space transforming, from “what even is this?” to “heck yes, I’d show up for this.”

Record your team goofing off, wrestling with props, or just straight up losing it over a stubborn balloon arch.

Bloopers? Lean into them. People love knowing you’re human and not some event-planning robot.

Extra Nudge: Pre-Event Stories

Use Instagram/Facebook Stories to do little day-in-the-life snippets. Maybe a “will this goat cooperate today?” poll or a “rate our pie crust attempts” series.

2. Countdown Madness: Yeah, the Hype is Real

Make That Countdown POP

Seriously, if you’re just throwing up a plain old “3 days to go!” post and thinking your job’s done, you’re missing the whole point. Go for bold, playful graphics, or even a selfie with you holding a sign (bonus points if your dog photobomb).

Every countdown post should have a little something extra—leak a detail about what’s coming or toss in a behind-the-scenes pic. Maybe hint at a secret activity or an exclusive treat.

Get interactive—have followers guess what animal will cause the most chaos on launch day or vote on playlist songs.

Keep the Hype Train Rolling

Don’t ghost your audience. Post reminders across all your platforms. Not everyone’s on IG, so double-dip to Facebook, TikTok, heck, even email if you’re feeling old-school.

Switch up formats: Stories, Reels, regular posts, short videos—keeps things fresh and catches everyone somewhere.

Consider a “Countdown Challenge”—each day, toss out a mini-game: “Caption this goat photo,” “Guess the pie flavor,” or “DM us your best farm pun.

Mini-Reveals and Surprises

Drop hints about surprises or special guests (even if it’s just a chicken with attitude). There’s something about the whole “wait, what’s gonna happen next?” suspense that keeps people glued to the edge of their seats.

Consider a “Countdown Challenge”—each day, toss out a mini-game: “Caption this goat photo,” “Guess the pie flavor,” or “DM us your best farm pun.

3. Share the Love: Facts & Fan Feedback

Quirky Farm Facts

  Hit ‘em with stuff they’ll want to repeat at dinner. “Cows legit have besties,” or “Goats can recognize their names.”

  Bonus: People love sharing weird facts, so you get free word-of-mouth.

Testimonials That Matter

Short, punchy quotes from previous visitors:

“That hayride? 12/10, would ride again.”

“The jam ruined store-bought for me forever.”

Video clips work, too—even shaky, silly ones. Real people, real excitement.

4. Stir the Pot: Contests & Giveaways that People Actually Want

Keep Contests Simple & Fun

  Nobody likes a contest with 17 rules. Go easy: “Share this post and tag a friend to win farm-fresh eggs.” That’s it.

Try photo contests—“Best farm-themed selfie” or “Show us your pie face.”

Prizes that Don't Suck

  Give away stuff people actually want. Homemade pies, VIP hayride seats, a personal meet-and-greet with the sassiest chicken on the block.

  Consider exclusive experiences—like “Be Farmer for a Day” or a private tour.

Announce Winners with Flair

  Spotlight winners in a big, goofy way. Record a winner reveal dance, throw confetti, or do a live stream.

  Keep the energy high so everyone sees that real people win, and they want in next time.

Bonus: Limited-Time Offers

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

Basically, just keep it fun, keep it real, and let your excitement leak out everywhere. If you’re hyped, they’ll get hyped. That’s how you get everyone counting down and clearing their calendars.

5. Keep it Human: It's about Connections, not Just Churing out Stuff

Talk Like You’re Actually Alive

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

  Reply to comments with personality—jokes, GIFs, inside jokes, even the occasional typo (makes you look real, trust).

  Okay, so here’s the thing—if you screw up a post, just own it. Edit with a funny apology or just laugh it off in the comments.

Build the Vibe

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

 Use slang, puns, and references only your crowd will get. Make your space feel like an inside club, not some stuffy event.

        Drop random thoughts or behind-the-scenes fails. Let your excitement show—people vibe off genuine energy.

Invite Interaction

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

  Flash deals or secret codes hidden in posts can fire up that “act now or miss out” feeling.

Throw out some questions, toss up a poll, tell folks to slide into your DMs.

  Don’t forget to hype the little wins too: “Whoa, 500 RSVPs already?"

Set the Scene: Make Your Farm Unforgettable

Nobody’s coming just for the turnips—they want the whole experience. Here’s how you pull them in:

Decorate Like You Mean It

Rustic charm wins hearts. Folks just sprawled out on hay bales, grass stains and all, not a single care about posture or appearances. Wildflowers crammed into those scruffy mason jars everybody’s grandma used for pickles, half the rims chipped because, let’s be honest, perfection is for Pinterest, not real life.

Go big on photo ops. Set up a cute backdrop with tractors, giant sunflowers, or a DIY “Wanted: Best Farm Visitor” poster. People will snap pics and flood their feeds with your farm’s name.

Let Nature Do Its Thing

Use what you’ve got. Got a patch of wildflowers out back? Sweet. Big ol’ tree throwing shade? Even better. That creaky red barn that’s seen a few too many summers? Absolute gold—just play up whatever’s got character.

Oh, and guess what? Way less plastic junk, heaps more real-deal charm, and your wallet lives to see another day.

Make it Unforgettable: Turn Randoms into Raving Fans

You want your open day to be the talk of the town. Not just, “Yeah, the cookies were nice,” but, “Dude, that place was awesome—I didn’t want to leave!” Here’s how you flip casual visitors into die-hard fans.

First Impressions: Set the Vibe

Warm Welcomes at the Gate

Don’t just plop a sign out front and hope for the best. Get someone out there—someone who actually likes people. Hand out maps (because let’s be honest, farms can be a maze), offer a genuine smile, and if you can swing it, throw in a free sample or two.

Easy Navigation

Make sure signs are clear, directions aren’t confusing, and guests know where to go for all the good stuff. Confused visitors do not become fans—they become grumpy.

Interactive Activities

Plan demos throughout the day—cooking with your own veggies, jam-making, or animal care. People want to see, touch, and taste.

Set up stations for different age groups: a petting zoo for kids, a gardening Q&A for adults, maybe a “guess the seed” game for the trivia nerds.

Show the Good, the Bad, and the Muddy

Don’t Sugarcoat Reality

Some days, you’re literally up to your ankles (or knees, who are we kidding) in muck, fixing a busted gate while the cows eyeball you like it’s your fault. Other days? You’re chilling with your coffee, sunrise doing its thing, and you’re just like, “Man, can it get any better?”

Celebrate Small Victories

Nailed that perfectly ripe tomato? Brag about it! Managed to fix the tractor with nothing but duct tape and stubbornness? That’s content gold, right there. People love seeing the little wins because, honestly, who doesn’t?

Reflect & Grow: Learn from Every Event

When the last visitor heads home, your job isn’t done. Time to take stock and level up.

Collect Feedback

Hand out simple surveys or set up a spot where folks can jot down what they loved (or didn’t).

Hang around by the door as folks head out—trust me, that’s where the magic happens. Sometimes the best feedback comes in a casual conversation.

Crunch the Numbers

- Look at attendance, see which activities got the most buzz, and figure out what flopped. Use that info to plan next year’s bash.

- Track your social media stats—did that behind-the-scenes video go viral or did nobody care? Adjust accordingly.

Keep the Connection Alive

Say Thanks, Don’t Be Shy

Drop your visitors a quick thank you. Don’t overthink it—fire off a text, slide into their DMs, heck, leave a voice note if you’re feeling a little extra that day. People seriously notice that stuff, and not in some “oh, how professional” way, but in a “dang, that was actually kinda nice” way. Plus, who doesn’t love being appreciated?

Show Some Social Love

Snap a photo, tag your visitors, or throw a shoutout on Instagram or Facebook. Maybe share a behind-the-scenes pic or a goofy farm moment. Not only does it make folks feel special, but it also keeps your farm popping up in their feeds (and their brains).

Remind Them You Exist (In a Fun Way)

Every so often, send out a quick update. Could be about fresh eggs, a new event, or even just a funny story from the barn. The goal? Stay on their radar without being that annoying spammer.

Plant Seeds for Next Time

Real talk—don’t let ’em forget about you the second they hit reverse in the parking lot. Hype up your next big thing, tease some jaw-dropping deals, or just toss out a friendly, “Catch ya next season!” Seriously, why not start plotting your next trip before your car even warms up?

Get Feedback (But Make It Casual)

Ask what they liked—or what could’ve been better. People love feeling heard, especially when it’s not just a boring survey link. Maybe drop a meme, hit 'em with a joke—seriously, nobody wants another email that feels like homework.

Keeping the Vibe Rolling After Your Open Day

So, open day’s a wrap. The snacks are gone, everyone’s posted their selfies, and there’s still this buzz in the air. Now’s not the time to just dip out like a magician at a kid’s birthday.

Stay in the Loop: Don’t Let Your People Drift Away

Start a Newsletter

Seriously, don’t overthink it. Just bang out a quick email every so often—maybe monthly, maybe whenever you’ve got something cool to share (or just a random Tuesday, who cares). Fill it with updates about what’s happening, any hilarious screw-ups (because let’s be real, those happen), and a peek at what’s coming up next.

Social Media Shoutouts

Thank everyone for coming out, tag folks (with their permission, obviously), and drop some hints about what’s coming up next. It’s about keeping the conversation rolling even after the event’s over. And hey, throw up a poll on Instagram or ask for feedback in your stories. People love weighing in, even on the silliest stuff (“Best snack at the event?” or “Should we make next time a pajama party?”).

Keep the Fun Going: Host More Events

Seasonal Workshops

There’s something magic about tying your events to the seasons. Got way too many zucchinis? Host a chaotic “zoodle-fest” or a pickling day where everyone brings their weirdest veggie. When autumn hits, whip out the pumpkins for some carving and maybe a little friendly competition (best jack-o’-lantern face wins bragging rights).

Harvest Festivals & Shindigs

Big harvest? Call in the troops. Make it a celebration—and not just about the food (though, let’s be honest, the food is a huge draw).

Keep the Crew Tight: Don’t Ghost Your People

Follow Up Personally

You know what stands out these days? A personal note. Doesn’t have to be a handwritten letter (unless you’re feeling super retro), but a quick text or email thanking someone for showing up? That sticks with people.

Tag-Team With Local Groups

Why go it alone? Partner up with the school down the block, the corner market, or the community center. Not only does it take some pressure off you, but you also get this awesome mashup of ideas and energy.

You wanna make your open day actually stick in people’s minds, not just be another boring event no one talks about after. First thing? Set the mood — seriously, the vibe matters way more than most people think. Get folks talking, laughing, maybe even a little wowed. Grab their attention early or you’ll lose 'em to their phones. Bottom line: turn “just another day” into something people’ll actually remember (and maybe brag about) for years.