Cars to Farms: A Review of Clarkson’s Farm
Over the last five years, car guru Jeremy Clarkson has shifted gears to shed light on the joys of British farming.
By Roan Fair
After watching my favorite Christmas movies this past winter break, I searched streaming services to find something new to watch. Among the numerous comedies and political dramas in my recommendations, one show stood out: Clarkson’s Farm. Clarkson’s Farm follows Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson as he takes on the responsibility of maintaining his 1,000 acre farm. The catch—he has no idea what he’s doing. (READ MORE: Tis the Season: Movies that Bring Joy to the Soul)
Although the farm was originally bought as a loophole to avoid inheritance taxes, Clarkson has used his popularity and the show to educate on the realities and struggles farmers face. In an interview from 2021, Clarkson elaborated on his reasoning, stating that a lot of farm shows seemed to idealize the industry with simple depictions of lambs, clean straw, and cute barns. Clarkson’s Farm depicts a much dirtier version. In order to properly upkeep the farm, Clarkson is aided by his farm hand Kaleb Cooper and land agent Charlie Ireland.
The message of the show is clear: farming is taken for granted. Each episode takes time to explain the farming processes and the effects that weather and government regulation have on the industry. Clarkson is also transparent with the costs and meager profits generated by the farm during each season.
A Bigger Impact
Although Clarkson’s Farm is an enjoyable and humorous watch, the show is actually having an effect on the British agriculture industry. The so-called “Clarkson Effect” credits Clarkson for making farming accessible to the general public and bringing attention to the industry. Since the release of Clarkson’s Farm, the Royal Agriculture University has received nearly 20% more applications for their land management programs. British-grown produce has also benefited from rising sales with some goods seeing spikes as high as 150%. The “Farm-to-Fork” movement, which Clarkson champions with his show, has grown in popularity and more individuals are buying local as a result.
The influence of Clarkson’s Farm is not isolated to the British Isles. Viewers across the globe have reacted to the show with new interest in what farming truly entails. Researchers at the Ohio State University even studied how people reacted to the series. The research explored how Clarkson’s Farm affected students’ perception of the farming industry before and after viewing the show. The study found that most students who had little previous knowledge of the agriculture industry were surprised by the intricacies and challenges of modern agriculture.
Good television is often difficult to find in the modern entertainment world. Clarkson’s Farm is one of the rare exceptions to this broad claim. It is by no means perfect and often includes crude British humor, but it is more than a comedic venture. Jeremy Clarkson has used his platform to promote a struggling industry which many small towns rely on. The humor may make the show an enjoyable watch, but the project is larger than a useless farmer. It is a plea to revive a dying way of life.
About the Author
Roan Fair is a History and Political Science double major at Grove City College. On campus, he is the Senior Articles Editor for the Grove City College Journal of Law and Public Policy. He also serves as a student executive for the BEST Robotics Competition, a high school program hosted by the college and is the Vice President for the college’s Federalist Society chapter.
Roan serves as a TA for Dr. Verbois in the political science department. His interests include early American history, political theory, and the legal field. Finally, after graduation, Roan plans on attending law school and pursuing a career in private practice.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.
Cover Image: Photo by Damian Kravchuk on Unsplash