Jeremy Clarkson does what Yvon Jaspers couldn't do

It cannot have escaped the notice of anyone in agricultural circles. Former TopGear star and 'petrolhead' Jeremy Clarkson gives viewers of streaming service Amazon Prime a glimpse of his farm in the idyllic English countryside over 8 hilarious episodes. Anyone who thinks it's about racing tractors and as much horsepower as possible is wrong. Clarkson flawlessly outlines the (im)possibilities farmers are faced with. With this Clarksons Farm gets rid of the cuddly image that Farmer seeks Wife likes to paint in one fell swoop.

True, the purpose of the series and the audience is very different. Still, Clarkson strikes just the right chord with a mix of humor, serious items and a constant battle against the elements. Precisely because the 61-year-old TV presenter starts everything with an open mind, it makes for interesting and, above all, funny television. Not least because of his stubbornness, regardless of whether he has knowledge of the subject or not.

picturesque
Clarkson - who should be worth £30 million (€35 million) - bought the arable farm in 2008. The 400 hectares in total are located in the Cotswolds region. One of the most picturesque regions of England. The series manages to capture that effortlessly, regardless of the time of year or weather. When his permanent tenant retired in 2019, Clarkson decided to take on the task of agricultural entrepreneur himself. In doing so, the company is switching from fully arable farming to a mixed farm with, among other things, sheep.

Fortunately, the presenter is supported by a number of knowledgeable people, who guide him through his first season ever. In doing so, he encounters many challenges which, if you look closely, are often completely idiotic. Even a seasoned farmer is sometimes made to think by his simple questions. Client Amazon has undoubtedly contributed a lot to make all activities at the company possible. However, that should not spoil the fun.

Purely positive
Whether you're a fan of the outspoken and controversial presenter or not, the 8-part series appeals to everyone. British media are therefore purely positive. Even highly critical critics such as The Guardian newspaper. The agricultural sector in the country is also pleased with the way in which an entire sector is put away. Sometimes with a critical note, but always in a striking way.

With more than 7 million followers on Twitter and 3,5 million on Instagram, he is not lacking in popularity. Through the series, therefore, a huge group of people will undoubtedly come into contact with the current way of farming and the challenges that come with it. She is presented with a realistic picture of crops that drown or dry up, sky-high costs, ridiculous rules or the sudden death of a favorite animal. It's all in there. For a farmer it is his way of life. A special story for an outsider.

Realistic
Clarksons Farm is not a success story and does not have a happy ending. That is what makes the series so realistic and worth watching. Of course by colleagues and everyone who is interested in this fantastic sector, but especially for the outsiders. People who've never wondered where their food comes from, why it's so cheap, why they slog behind a tractor at a snail's pace and why the farmland is so beautiful. Clarksons Farm shows it all in a unique way and succeeds very well. An asset to agriculture. On to season 2.

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

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