If you’ve ever thought about changing career and going into farming, here’s an invitation worth considering. The BBC are looking for couples to take part in a programme about farming in the UK. Participants will learn the skills needed to run a farm, including animal husbandry and handling machinery. As its a reality-tv style show, I expect there’ll be plenty of getting up early, getting rained on, and sticking your arm up the back end of a cow too.
Ten couples will be chosen, and they can be married, friends or siblings. They will learn and compete over six weeks, and the winners will be get to live and work on their own small farm. If you’re interested, act now. The deadline for entries is this Wednesday, April 28th.
Although it sounds like fun, it’s also highlighting a serious issue. Britain relies on imported food and couldn’t grow enough to feed everyone if it had to. As global oil reserves begin to dwindle, importing food will become more expensive, and we’ll be needing more farms and more local food. Unfortunately, British farming is headed in the opposite direction. Few people choose a career on the land, and 60,000 people need to do so in the coming years just to keep the sector at its current level. The average age of British farmers has been relentlessly creeping up for years, and in 2000 DEFRA noted that just 5% of farmers were under the age of 35. This means that those with the most experience and expertise are approaching retirement, leaving a skills gap. Hopefully the BBCs programme will inspire more people to look seriously at farming as a career.
To apply, email farm@splashmediatv.co.uk and ask for an application form The deadline is 28 April.
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