BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has weighed in on the success of Jeremy Clarkson’s popular Amazon Prime series, Clarkson’s Farm, but also pointed out a major flaw
Adam Henson has opened up about Amazon Prime’s Clarkson’s Farm and highlighted one particular issue with the popular show. Speaking in an episode of Grounded: The regenerative farming podcast, Adam weighed in on the massively popular series, which is fronted by former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
The show follows Jeremy, a relative newcomer to agriculture as he tries to run a 1,000-acre farm called Diddly Squat Farm situated near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
Adam, a presenter on Countryfile who also runs Cotswold Farm Park, praised the “huge success” of Jeremy’s programme in “opening the eyes” of numerous viewers to farming life, whilst also pointing out some drawbacks.
He remarked: “Some of the positivities around farming, you know, the successes we had. You know, I think…I agree that Clarkson’s Farm has been a huge success opening the eyes of many people into agriculture that wouldn’t have otherwise watched it.”
He added: “He spends a huge amount of money; he’s up against planning; he’s up against the weather; he’s up against disease; he spends a fortune on a tractor.
“And at the end of the year, he makes diddly squat when actually, I know lots of farmers who are incredibly successful, who are farming their land, you know, in a really positive way.”
However, Adam conceded that it can indeed be “tough” and it’s “good” to highlight these types of stories. He noted there were “lots of difficult things” in farming currently, with particular emphasis on mental health issues and accidents.
On the flip side, the 59-year-old highlighted that there had been a “huge amount” of “incredible success stories”. He also underscored the need for fostering what he termed an “attitude” of positivity within the industry.
Earlier this year, Adam shared his thoughts on celebrities who retreat to the Cotswolds for a respite from the limelight. In an article for Cotswold Life Magazine, Adam observed that gossip columns are “fascinated by the film stars and fashionistas”.
He wrote: “Meanwhile, the gossip columns are fascinated by the film stars and fashionistas who come to the Cotswolds to escape the spotlight (but somehow manage to be front page news, nonetheless).”
However, for Adam, the area holds a different meaning, symbolised by the “working, growing countryside”. He went on to draw attention to the Cotswolds’ fields, flowers and trees.
Adam elaborated: “For me, the area is summed up by the working, growing countryside. Its endless acres of arable fields, a glimpse of bright wildflowers and rows of beech trees standing in silhouette on the horizon.”
He also emphasised the animals, his lifelong “companions” and “neighbours” who have “been at the heart” of his cherished farm park for more than five decades.
You can next catch Adam on Countryfile on BBC One on Sunday, October 12, from 5.15pm to 6.15pm.