Having turned his hand to farming three years ago, marmite figure Clarkson has been praised for showing the realities of farming life – whilst finding humour in the challenges and mishaps he faces day to day.

Now, he’s set to release his third book on his farming journey, Pigs Might Fly.

Clarkson read out a snippet of the book, which is due to be released later this month, on Instagram, but he gave little away.

“This is my brand new book. And I thought it might be fun to read you a short excerpt from it, give you a flavour:

‘Part of the problem is that to make the price seem worthwhile, you have to tell people why your new acquisition was so expensive. It was Richard Madeley’s cricket bat, you know.’

“Exciting stuff. And there’s more where that came from in Diddly Squat: Pigs Might Fly.”

According to the book summary, readers can expect to be regaled with more outlandish schemes from Diddly Squat Farm – the sheep are gone, to be replaced with pigs and ‘psychopathic’ goats ­– while the cows have been joined by a bull named Break-Heart Maestro.

Since the last book, Clarkson’s enthusiastic schemes for diversification have been met with stubborn opposition from the ‘red trouser bridgade’, and Kaleb and Lisa have had doubts about Jeremy’s plan to build a business empire based on rewilding and nettle soup.

Nonetheless, Clarkson remains ‘irrepressibly optimistic’ about life at Diddly Squat.

The book follows his previous offerings, A Year on the Farm and ‘Til the Cows Come Home’.

Pigs Might Fly is due for release in hardback on 26^th October 2023 (published by Michael Joseph).

 

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Image © Plank PR.

1. What inspired the theme of your new book?

There are these British traditions that have been around for years and years, and loads of people are enjoying them every day. So I thought, why don’t I investigate and write a book about all these traditions, such as the cheese rolling, gravy wrestling and nettle eating competitions and agricultural shows?

The atmosphere at these shows – everyone’s in this bubble of excitement, all the farmers are chatting away, and it’s just amazing.

So I started – in the tractor cab, because that’s where I do my best thinking (I got a little recorder) – I started googling, asking my friends and family: “Have you ever been cheese rolling?”

I might be interested in taking part in gravy wrestling, who knows? I’m not sure about the nettle eating competition.

© Quercus

2. What can readers expect from Britain According to Kaleb?

There’s lots of pictures in there, it’s very similar to the first book [The World According to Kaleb]. It’s basically going through regions and looking at the Scottish traditions coming down to Wales and the Midlands. It’s very much all over Britain.

I’m known for not travelling, not going very far from home, because I get a nosebleed and a little bit scared, but more importantly, I like where I live. I sat looking at all these different places and thought, I’m missing out on some of the most amazing places in Britain. And the farmland and different people, everything, so I thought, why don’t I go on tour?

3. You don’t come from a farming background – what attracted you to the industry?

I got into farming by selling eggs. So, age 13, my mum bought me three chickens for my birthday. I didn’t get an Xbox, I didn’t get a PlayStation, I didn’t get an iPad, I got three chickens. I thought, I can make a business out of this, and I sold the chicken eggs and paid back my food costs, and paid myself a wage, and that’s how I started.

4. What does the countryside and farming life mean to you?

I wouldn’t say [farming] is a job, for me. I think I speak for every farmer out there saying that. I don’t wake up in the morning and go “Ahh, I’ve got to go and jump on a power harrow today” or “I’ve got to go and feed the cows”. I never wake up and think that. The day I did wake up and think that is the day that I’m in the wrong job.

I’ve always said that the thing that I do, as a “job” is a way of life. As a farmer, you very much stay in the countryside all your life and witness the most amazing view I think.

5. Have you been surprised by the fame you’ve experienced since Clarkson’s Farm?

I never expected it, but I think the best things happen in life when you don’t expect them.

6. What are your thoughts on the challenges the industry is facing?

The weather’s very much a big part of every farmer’s life, but I think as the climate changes, it’s going to be a big challenge for farmers to adapt. But equally, farmers are the best people at adapting.

I think every farmer out there is thinking right, the weather’s gonna be bad this year, next year might be worse. I mean, we’re in October, and [seeing temperatures of] 25 degrees, it’s mad isn’t it?

So I’m just trying to think ahead now, thinking right, what am I gonna do to try and survive this winter? Who knows what’s gonna happen?

Whilst he’s known for not travelling, Kaleb is set to tour the UK to see firsthand some of the places in his new book, and “have a chinwag” with audiences about farming. Image © SO Visual

7. What would your advice be to someone who wants to get into farming but is not from a farming background?

I’m not from a farming background – my mum is a dog groomer and my dad’s a carpenter. They own their own businesses, do very well and work very hard.

Getting into farming… it was really hard and I was very lucky to have that one farmer go yeah, do you want a job? I think the best bit of advice I’d give to any young person is, have a bit of courage and go and speak to that local farmer and ask him how his day is going. While he’s there, he’ll probably be working because he’s so busy, so just give him a hand lifting them gates while you’re talking to him and see if you can get a job, or just chat generally about what you’re interested in and be interested in what he/she is doing.

I think what got me [my first] job was the willingness to graft, but, more importantly, learn what the industry is all about.

I’ve always remembered, at the back of your head you can set a goal or a dream, and just remember, dreams don’t work unless you do. That’s the advice I’d give to any young farmer.

8. Can you tell us about your bursary to help young farmers?

The application is open now, and it’s giving them £3,000 over three years, to help them with travel expenses and pay for courses. Luckily this year, I was thinking I’m only going be able to get one candidate, but we’ve actually got two people we can put through.

The good thing is, it doesn’t matter what grades you get – if you get straight As, brilliant; if you get Us, if you get Cs, it doesn’t matter. That’s what I like about farming, it’s open for everybody.

An apprenticeship for me worked really well. And I started doing much better in school when I started farming and working out hectares and acres and how much money I’m gonna make each week selling eggs.

Kaleb hopes audiences on his tour will leave with a better understanding of farming, and the importance of buying British. Image © SO Visual

9. Finally, how are you feeling about your upcoming tour?

As a whole, I haven’t really thought a great deal about it, I’ve just come out of harvest. But I’m actually really excited. Of course, I’m gonna be nervous flying around but I think nerves are a good thing, because it makes you want to improve who you are as a person.

The show itself is a really fun way to put farming centre stage in the theatre; that is how I’m describing the show. Hopefully I can have a good chinwag about farmers, and if there’s any sheep farmers, I’m gonna bow to them because how do you sheep farm? Sheep are just awful creatures. Cows are just amazing, they’ve got personalities; the hairstyles are normally better than mine which is very annoying.

But, more importantly, if the general public come along to this, I hope they come out of there going, I know how milk is made, I know how wheat is done. And I hope they come out saying, “I’m gonna buy local bread actually because of all the food miles”.

Britain According to Kaleb: The Wonderful World of Country Life (published by Quercus) is available now in hardback, ebook & audio. (Hardback £20).

Information on his 2024 tour can be found here: https://www.nlp-ltd.com/kaleb/

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What is a Brit Stops host?

Brit Stops is a scheme for motorhomers to explore the UK. When they purchase Brit Stops, they get one year of unlimited stopovers at 1,100+ Brit Stops locations, including pubs, vineyards, aires, farm shops, and other varied businesses too.

Motorhomers are always looking for great places to stop while on the road, and your farm can be one of them, the company says. Brit Stops is a well-established scheme that has been operating for over eight years and has over 26,000 users.

What are the benefits?

By inviting motorhomers to your farm, Brit Stops says you can reach its large audience, based throughout the UK and Ireland. “Our members are always looking for lovely spots to stay overnight and, as most of them are retired couples, they often have disposable income to spend at the farm shop. We also manage our members with a recognised code of conduct, so you won’t have anyone setting up an awning or hanging their washing out!”

Visitors should not be under any obligation to buy, but the company has found that nine out of 10 Britstoppers end up spending some money with its hosts. They’ve saved their campsite fees and usually need to top up the fridge or have dinner. Depending on the time of year and how many spaces you have available, you might see anywhere from 1–10 motorhomers a week, which can really drive extra custom, Brit Stops suggests.

How do I become a Brit Stops host?

Becoming a host is easy. There are no fees or contracts and the sign-up is simple. A detailed entry on the Brit Stops website/app is free to hosts. No facilities are needed and it costs you nothing. All you have to do is offer Brit Stops members a one-night free stopover in your car park.

Sign up to become a Brit Stops host.

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The sale of Simms Farm provides an opportunity to purchase a traditional residential farm, predominantly contained within a ring-fenced block and located in a quiet yet accessible area of West Suffolk.

The farmhouse is surrounded by established grassland parcels, and the farm buildings provide scope for a range of alternative uses (subject to planning) with one of the period barns having previously been granted planning permission for residential conversion in 2011.

The arable land has been farmed by the same local contractor for over 20 years on a Contract Farming Agreement.

Simms Farmhouse: A glimpse into history

The heart of the property, Simms Farmhouse, is a charming Victorian residence dating back to around 1840. Constructed of solid red brick with a pitched tiled peg roof, it embodies timeless elegance.

Featuring four bedrooms, it offers ample space for a family, also including a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, living room, utility room, and cloakroom. The garden surrounding the house is adorned with mature trees and shrubs, creating a peaceful retreat.

Whyberries Cottage: A rustic haven

Tucked away from the main farmhouse and buildings, Whyberries Cottage exudes its own unique charm. This detached period cottage, constructed of rendered brick, features a pitched slate roof and a single-storey side extension.

Offering two bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room, kitchen, and additional amenities, the cottage provides a comfortable and welcoming living space.

Farm buildings and land

Simms Farm includes an array of traditional farm buildings, providing versatility for future use (subject to planning). Noteworthy structures include former stables, a period timber-framed barn with conversion potential, a Dutch barn, and a cart lodge.

The property’s 138.87 acres of arable land, classified as Grade 2, are well-maintained and predominantly contained within a ring-fenced block. This land has been farmed by a local contractor for over two decades, maintaining the land in prime condition for future use.

Mature woodland and grass paddocks

The farm also includes ancient woodland known as ‘Jollys Wood’ and a series of grass paddocks around the main house, offering opportunities for leisurely walks and equestrian pursuits. These areas enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the property.

Simms Farm is offered for sale without overage, presenting a unique chance to acquire a traditional residential farm in the heart of Suffolk. With its idyllic setting, Victorian farmhouse, charming cottage, and extensive acreage, this property is a rare find.

For the particulars, visit the Cheffins website. To arrange a viewing, email Cheffins directly or call 01223 213777.

The post Farm for sale: Traditional arable farm in West Suffolk hits the market appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Bridging the gap between farm and the consumer is something that lots of farmers are trying to do in an effort to help more people understand the reality of what goes into producing their food, and hopefully alter public opinion on why supporting and buying British is so important.

As part of its work on social media to contribute to farmers’ efforts in showcasing British agriculture, A-Plan Rural Insurance runs a Rural Community blog, where it invites farmers to share their experiences in the industry.

Since starting the blog, A-Plan Rural has worked with a wide variety of farmers from differing backgrounds and locations all over the UK.

The latest blog is focused on Joanna Shimwell – known as @dalefarmphotos on Instagram. Joanna shares how she became involved in farming from a young age when she helped her father on the family farm, which was established in 1880.

Despite being discouraged from a life on the farm as a result of the hardship her parents endured through the Thatcher era, she found herself drawn to farming life and now runs Dale Farm alongside her husband.

Read the full blog here.

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Amazon Prime Video is said to be preparing to renew Clarkson’s Farm for a fourth season, after rumours that the show would be cancelled following the third series, Deadline reports.

There were concerns the show would be cancelled after Jeremy Clarkson faced a backlash over comments made about Meghan Markle in his Sunday Times column, which he later apologised for.

Variety previously reported that Amazon was likely to part ways with Clarkson after the previously commissioned series of Clarkson’s Farm and Grand Tour were aired – though Amazon Prime did not confirm or deny this.

According to Deadline, multiple sources have claimed relations have improved and Amazon is in “active talks” with Clarkson over season four of the hit TV show.

While a deal has not been finalised, discussions are said to have been positive and there is ambition on both sides to bring the show back. Amazon reportedly declined to comment.

Filming for season 3 is currently underway, ready for a 2024 premiere.

And here is the fantastic news. A HUGE amount of piglets pic.twitter.com/SBAXAiWF3J

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 25, 2023

The show has been a hit with members of the public and farmers alike, charting Clarkson’s progress as a “trainee farmer” and giving an unflinching view of the varied challenges faced by British farmers.

Season two of the show highlighted the farm’s struggles with getting planning permission for a new restaurant and car park, resulting in a major backlash against West Oxfordshire District Council, which refused permission, forcing the restaurant to close. Permission to extend the car park was finally granted in June.

Since the last season Clarkson has shared farm updates via X, formerly known as Twitter, including the birth of a “HUGE amount of piglets” and a mistake in the farm’s apple fermentation process, which resulted in exploding cider.

The post Amazon Prime “preparing to renew” Clarkson’s Farm for season four appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Copyright – DEFRA

Bridging the gap between farm and the consumer is something that lots of farmers are trying to do in an effort to help more people understand the reality of what goes into producing their food, and hopefully alter public opinion on why supporting and buying British is so important.

As part of their work on social media to contribute to farmer’s efforts in showcasing British agriculture, A-Plan Rural Insurance have setup a rural community blog, where they invite farmers to give their experiences in the industry. Since starting the blog, A-Plan Rural have worked with a great variety of farmers from differing backgrounds and locations all over the UK.

In their latest blog, podcasters Becca & Lizzie interviewed the minister of farming, food and fisheries, Mark Spencer. Supported by the likes of YouTuber Olly Harrison (100k subscribers) and mental health ambassador Matt Styles, Becca and Lizzie were able to put some community-driven questions to Mark and offer a platform of communication between government and the farming community.

Read the full blog here.

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Many farmers are still haunted by the horrors of the 2001 foot-and-mouth epidemic, which saw 6.5 million animals slaughtered and burned in a desperate attempt to halt the disease, caused the postponement of a general election, and cost the UK economy an eye-watering £8 billion.

Inspired by the personal experiences of West Country playwright Bea Roberts, And Then Come the Nightjars tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a Devon farmer and the vet who is assigned to cull his beloved herd.

In the screen adaptation, Nigel Hastings and David Fielder reprise their hugely successful on-stage roles as Jeff the vet and Michael the farmer, whose captivating dynamic brings to life the emotional journey of resilience, loss, and the unbreakable human spirit in the face of adversity.

In an exclusive interview, director Paul Robinson told Farmers Guide the film goes beyond the impacts of foot-and-mouth to encompass its bigger significance in terms of small-scale farming and the rural way of life.

“It’s not about foot-and-mouth, it’s one of the inciting incidents at the beginning of the story, but really, it’s about the bigger issues of farming and the way of life associated with farmers.

“At the same time, it’s a story about male friendship and how men can’t really talk to each other emotionally, how they just banter with each other, but underneath all that is real heart and sentiment and feeling, and that was just a story I hadn’t seen before.”

David Fielder (left) and Nigel Hastings (right) portray protagonists Michael and Jeff on the screen.

Although authenticity was central to planning and executing the film, Paul emphasized it should not be viewed as a true representation of real-life events.

“[The film] takes a very thin and, in particular, personal slice of two people’s lives, but the reason why one is a farmer and one is a vet is because it sets up a relationship at the beginning of the film that is going to be really tested,” he explained.

Paul went on to say that much of the drama in the film stems from the fact that it was often local vets who were obliged to cull herds, creating a bizarre scenario where people who drink in the pub together are put in a position of tension with each other.

While this was not the case in every community, it reflects the experiences of the play’s writer Bea Roberts, whose father worked as a farm vet during the outbreak.

The journey from stage to silver screen

In 2014, the original play won the inaugural Theatre503 International Playwriting Award, launched by Paul himself who was the theatre’s artistic director at the time.

“It was a unanimous vote by the judges,” he said. “It just blew me away, it was a really compact, hour and ten piece that spanned over 10 years.”

With the award came the promise to produce the play and the rest, as they say, is history.

According to Paul, the idea to adapt the play came from Nigel Hastings, who works as an actor and script editor for Finite Films. He worked closely with Bea Roberts to produce the screen adaptation, which retains over 95% of the original words from the stage play.

Having directed the play, Paul was then invited to direct the film, marking his debut on the silver screen. He said working with the same principal actors made the job a lot easier, saving the cast and crew about three weeks of rehearsal work.

The authenticity factor

When researching for the film, Paul and the actors visited Meldon Farm in Dartmoor to speak with Phil and Mandy about their experiences having lived through the outbreak, which he said became a very emotional exchange despite not starting that way at all.

“We drove away knowing exactly who we’re doing this play for and what experience we’re trying to represent. We went back to Phil’s farm to shoot it, and knowing it happened on that soil added a whole other element.”

Phil and Paul worked closely throughout the production of the film to achieve the level of authenticity required for the silver screen and convey the joys and hardships of life on a working farm.

“My aim was to make sure people were left smelling the manure and realising how much hard work it is working on a farm as opposed to rural idylls that we get in countryside tourism,” he added.

Paul’s other objective was to make the countryside the third character in the piece, bringing it alive in all its beauty for the nation to admire.

A homage to the rural community

Growing up in semi-rural West Kent, Paul spent a considerable time on farms before becoming involved in theatre, which instilled in him a deep love for the countryside and admiration for the rural community.

While the film is dedicated to all the farmers and people whose livelihoods were impacted by the foot-and-mouth outbreak, he said at its deepest level, it speaks to those who have a relationship with farming and the land, as opposed to people who don’t.

It also pays a tribute to enduring and resilient rural communities, who always find a way of getting through adversity and doing it with humour.

“I think a lot of us live in a very urban bubble, and we just do not get it. And we don’t also get how important the land is to us, we expect food to appear from nowhere, and I’m just trying to make sure we don’t forget those things,” Paul concluded.

Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, And Then Come The Nightjars will have special Q&A screenings at Chichester Film Festival with Nigel Hastings, David Fielder and Paul Robinson on 25th & 26th August.

Paul Robinson (middle) speaking with the crew on set.

The post Moving film adaptation depicts emotional toll of foot-and-mouth outbreak appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Bridging the gap between farm and the consumer is something that lots of farmers are trying to do in an effort to help more people understand the reality of what goes into producing their food, and hopefully alter public opinion on why supporting and buying British is so important.

As part of their work to contribute to farmer’s efforts in showcasing British agriculture, A-Plan Rural Insurance have started a rural community blog, where they invite farmers to give their experiences in the industry. Since starting the blog, A-Plan Rural have worked with a great variety of farmers from differing backgrounds and locations all over the UK.

In their latest blog, they spoke with Jesy Byron known as @tattooedshepherdess on Instagram. Jesy is an English farmer, based in Ellesmere Port, who works on a mixed farm with her husband as first-generation farmers. Starting with a herd of Hebs as training sheep they gained a lot of their knowledge through friends. Jesy’s story about her journey in farming is inspiring for anyone looking to get into the industry as a first-time farmer.

Read the full blog here.

The post Farming stories: Starting out as first-generation farmers appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Stock photo for illustration only.

The proposed ban on new oil burners has been described as a ‘rural Ulez’ by former environment secretary George Eustice in a Daily Telegraph article.

The ban is set to affect 1.7 million mostly rural households that are not connected to the gas grid, and would come in at least a decade before similar restrictions on other homes, according to the Countryside Alliance.

Mr Eustice said air-source heat pumps would cost four times more than a new boiler and urged the government to look at expanding the supply of renewable liquid fuels.

‘For just a couple of hundred pounds, an existing kerosene boiler can be converted to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil made from waste cooking oil or vegetable waste. Facilitating that switch would reduce carbon emissions by 88%, far faster than the current approach could and at a fraction of the cost,’ he wrote.

The Countryside Alliance has warned that many older homes commonly found in rural areas are ill-suited to heat pumps, which require thorough insulation to work efficiently. Some homeowners have also been told they would have to replace their radiators to accommodate the heating devices.

Mr Eustice has drafted an amendment to the Energy Bill, which is said to have the backing of at least a dozen Tory MPs, introducing effective subsidies on such oil.

Sir Geoffrey Cox, the former attorney general, said the 2026 cut-off date has left rural households with an “extremely invidious choice”.

“They don’t have an alternative in which they yet which they currently have any confidence,” he said. “Those of us who live in small rural communities are going to be plunged disadvantageously and prematurely into making a decision like this in two and a half years.”

Countryside Alliance public affairs director James Legge said in a statement: “We recognise the need to move away from fossil fuels in all its uses, but the Government must recognise the disproportionate impact this transition will have in rural areas.

“The Government needs to work with rural communities, rather than imposing change from Whitehall, to deliver affordable alternatives and the infrastructure needed to support increasing dependence on electricity, especially as we move to electric vehicles as well.”

Mr Legge warned that the current infrastructure cannot support the increase in demand that the proposed changes will bring. Alternatives to existing oil boilers often require substantial up front capital investment and may not be suitable for some properties.

Confidence in the alternatives is also important, he concluded, calling for the increasing use of alternative fuels as part of the mix when moving away from oil boilers.

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