Surrey farmers, growers and food producers are gearing up for this year's programme of farm walks and gastronomic happenings for Farm and Food Week on the 15th-23rd September.

Pie and poetry competitions, trailer rides, sausage demonstrations – there is something to interest everyone. The full programme leaflet is available at council offices, Farmer's Markets, libraries and Tourist Information Centres and online at www.surreycountyshow.co.uk.

This annual event, coordinated by Surrey County Agricultural Society, brings together farmers, food and animal lovers as well as just the curious, in order for everyone to understand how agriculture, landscape conservation and food production work together in this beautiful tract of Surrey countryside. Much of the farmscape lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is heavily used for leisure activities. The farm walks enable the public to go behind the scenes to see how the countryside is managed.

For farmers, it is a golden opportunity for them to show off their high levels of animal husbandry, state of the art technology and environment schemes, and to explain how farming works. Visitors will also be able to taste and buy produce.

The finale of the week is the Surrey County Ploughing Match and Country Fair on Sunday 23rd September.

This year the Country Fair takes place as usual at Loseley Park outside Guildford, but the ploughing match, held during the morning, is at Feathercombe Farm, Hambledon Road, Hydestile, Godalming, Surrey GU8 4DP, and there will be buses laid on to ferry spectators between the two sites and ample parking at both venues.

The ploughing match involves the National Vintage Area Finals for Surrey and Hampshire as well as the usual range of modern, novice, and horse-drawn ploughing classes. There is also a Horticultural plough demonstration.

The fair features all kinds of rural sports and activities from Falconry to Dog Agility, Waldburg Shires Heavy Horse Display, Gun Dog Trials, Dog Training, Terrier Racing, Fly Fishing tuition, Have a Go Tractor Driving, Clay Pigeon Shoot, Off-Road 4x4 course, Beagles, Ferrets, Surrey Search and Rescue, Classic Cars, Vintage Landrovers, Young Farmers, Farmer's Market, Food Hall, Fuller's Dray, Tractor Rides and traditional Punch and Judy show, Aerobatic Display and Hot Air Balloon launch.

It runs from 9am to 5pm and dogs are welcome on a lead. Ticket prices at the gate on show day are:

Adults £9, over 65s £8, children £5, family £25, under 5s free.

Discounts are available for advance ticket sales. Adults £7.50, over 65s £6.50, children £4.50, family £22, under 5s free. Go to www.surreycountyshow.co.uk for savings. There is no booking fee.

You can follow Surrey Farm and Food Week at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SurreyShow

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SurreyShow or @Surreyshow