Yahoo News Adam Henson's warning about Jeremy Clarkson's Farm programme - 'it's not that bad'
BBC Countryfile's Adam Henson has heaped praise on the "hysterical" Amazon Prime Video series, Clarkson's Farm, commending Jeremy Clarkson as a "very good storyteller". However, he has pointed out a concern with the show.
Adam, who runs his Cotswolds Farm Park in Guiting Power, near Cheltenham, felt it was important to counter the impression that farming is all doom and gloom, which might be conveyed to viewers of the hit show. During a chat on the 2022 episode of Stompcast with Dr Alex George, the farmer and broadcaster expressed his admiration for how Clarkson's Farm engaged a "whole new demographic" with rural life.
Yet, Adam is wary that the focus on the hardships faced in farming depicted by the series could potentially discourage viewers from pursuing a career in the field. Adam remarked: "I thought it was hysterical. I think he's a very good storyteller. I thought it reached a whole new demographic of people to learn about the countryside.", reports the Mirror.
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"I don't think it encouraged anybody to get into farming because it made it out to be completely grim. For the listeners, anybody who's thinking about farming, and that's all you've watched, it isn't all that bad. There are some real highlights of farming."
Dr Alex agreed, saying that Clarkson's Farm had attracted an audience that might not typically watch agricultural programmes, which could lead them to explore other shows like Countryfile.
The youth mental health ambassador expressed admiration for the agricultural sector, highlighting that followers of Clarkson's Farm and Countryfile understand how "amazing" the profession is, even with its inherent hardships.
He conveyed his passion for farming: "There's something about like, you know, doing things that are difficult are often worthwhile in the end because you feel like, 'I've really achieved something'."
Elaborating on his connection to farming, he added, "And I mean, as I said, I've been surrounded by farming. It wasn't my upbringing, but I've seen farming around me, and I loved it when there's, like, hay season, bailing and all that kind of thing."
Dr Alex went on to talk about the deep feeling of fulfilment farmers get when they have the opportunity to pause and admire their hard work, knowing their sheep are thriving because they've "farmed the land".
Sharing his reverence for the agricultural life, the former Love Island contestant highlighted the joy in being able to say, "I have grown this", and acknowledging the presence of animals because "I look after them".
Echoing these thoughts, the Countryfile host said: "There absolutely is. And you know, it is very rewarding. And it can be hard work, and it can be very challenges."
Clarkson's Farm, led by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, recently completed its third season earlier this year, with the Grand Tour star anticipating a particularly testing time for Diddly Squat Farm in the upcoming fourth season.
He underscored the "dilemma" that farmers are expected to grapple with come June, voicing concerns over the potential for a significant impact on food production if the Government continues to push forward with its Net Zero strategy.
In a recent article, he shared his viewpoint: "It's very important that we have the ability to feed ourselves, but we simply cannot do that when the main mission is to achieve Net Zero."
Clarkson elaborated on the issue, saying: "This old-fashioned system means the soil is turned over, so the weeds are buried and, owing to a lack of sunshine, die," and he highlighted the tough choice farming practices face, whether to be "kind to the sky or kind to the soil".
