Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald called on more NSW farmers to get involved in Farm Day later this month and host a city family for a day of real hands-on rural experience.

"Farm Day is a fantastic initiative to help foster greater understanding among city folk of the day-to-day life of a farming family," said Minister Macdonald.

"Farm Day 2008 is coming up - on either day of the weekend 24 and 25 May - and organisers have received a great response from over 950 applicants," he said

"But they are short on farmers - registrations in NSW are currently two city families to one farming family.

"It’s great to hear that urban Australians are queuing up to get the chance to see how a modern farm operates and how it contributes to all our daily lives.

"But we need more farmers to share their experience and give city families the chance to get some country hospitality, and get close to the source of the food and fibre they consume."

Mr Macdonald also encouraged city participants to make Farm Day a whole weekend experience and stay overnight and explore more of the region they are visiting.

"People can participate in Farm Day on either day of the weekend 24 or 25 May 2008, when you register you nominate your preferred day to participate," he said.

"The host farm and their guests are personally matched together based on criteria such as the distance they are willing to travel, the ages of children and special interests."

Farm Day is a not for profit company established to develop and administer a national Farm Day for Australia. It 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.

There is no charge for taking part and farm family involvement is voluntary.

For more details or to register for Farm Day, people can telephone 1300 367 036 or go to the website www.farmday.com.au

Media contact: Tom Braz 0428 256 596