A Year on the Farm

Well, I have watched all three series and was hooked from episode one, so it was time to get the books. I have never read a Jeremy Clarkson column (or book) so this was my introduction to his writing. What is ‘A Year on the Farm’ all about? It’s about the time when Jeremy’s land needed a farmer, and that farmer was him

Life changed for Jeremy when it became Clarkson’s Farm. With a confident shrug and his “How hard could it be?” attitude, Jeremy quickly found himself grappling with daunting challenges: bureaucracy, unpredictable weather patterns, community resistance (there is always one!), a global pandemic, and, most significantly, his own startling lack of farming know-how. But Jeremy discovers a silver lining in the form of a dedicated team ready to pitch in: Lisa, his steadfast girlfriend; Kaleb, the seasoned tractor driver; Cheerful Charlie, always ready with a smile; and Gerald, the steadfast guardian of both security and ancient dry stone walls.

 

Together, they embark on a journey, cultivating crops, tending to livestock and hens, nurturing bees, bottling fresh spring water, and launching a quaint farm shop. Despite their efforts, profitability remains elusive. Yet, amidst the trials and tribulations that Jeremy has to deal with, it becomes increasingly obvious that Diddly Squat Farm means more to him than mere financial gain—it represents a newfound appreciation for the land, its rhythms, and the bonds forged in its care.

This book demonstrates all of this and more. Made up of his newspaper columns, it is a warts and all vision of his life. From telling the reader that “my sheep are like woolly teenage boys. They take absurd risks and feign a lack of interest in everything, while deliberately being obstructive, stubborn, rude and prone to acts of eye-rolling vandalism’ through to commenting about his girlfriend when he said,  “Lisa was thrilled. I know this because she rolled her eyes, slammed the door and went for a long walk on her own to celebrate.”

The book vividly captures the highs and lows of farming life, offering a candid look at the daily challenges faced by farmers. It explores the absurdities of bureaucracy, from the ‘sheep police’ to the ‘pig police’ and beyond, revealing the often-frustrating regulatory hurdles that farmers navigate. Through this lens, it highlights the resilience and determination required to thrive in the agricultural world.

Above all, this book showcases Jeremy’s remarkable talent for writing—something we already knew! His passion for farming shines through every page. Who would have imagined that the host of Top Gear could find such joy atop a Lamborghini tractor, embodying the essence of being “as happy as a pig in muck”?