Diggers to dungarees: Inspiring farming’s next generation

From feeding livestock before school to exploring the countryside, growing up on a farm often means growing up outdoors.

Now, two British brands have joined forces to celebrate farming life and inspire the next generation of young adventurers.

For generations of farming families, muddy boots, early mornings and time spent outdoors have been part of everyday life.

Whether it’s helping in the yard, watching machinery at work or exploring fields, children growing up on farms often develop a connection with the countryside from an early age.

It’s this connection between farming, family life and the great outdoors that has inspired a collaboration between British machinery manufacturer JCB and children’s outdoor clothing specialist Spotty Otter.

Combining JCB’s engineering heritage with Spotty Otter’s expertise in technical outdoor clothing, the two brands have created a collection of waterproof dungarees and wellies designed with young farming families in mind.

Growing up with farming

For children raised on farms, the countryside isn’t somewhere they visit at weekends. It’s part of everyday life.

From accompanying parents on morning rounds to attending agricultural shows, these experiences can help children develop an understanding of farming and a lasting appreciation of the countryside.

For Northumberland farmer Andrew Johnson, who took part in the JCB Spotty Otter photoshoot with his family, that connection spans generations.

Andrew said: “I’ve grown up on a farm all my life, and JCB has always been part of that, from when I was a little boy to now, watching my own children grow up in the same place I did. Farming is a way of life for us, so being part of a collection that celebrates that heritage was really exciting for the kids.

“The kit looks fantastic, and the reflective details are a brilliant feature, especially for children spending time on a working farm where visibility is so important.”

Of course, growing up on a farm also means getting used to the British weather. Muddy gateways, wet grass and unexpected downpours are all part of the experience.

Encouraging children to embrace outdoor life, whatever the weather, is something Spotty Otter has long championed through its children’s clothing.

Indy Dhillon, Brand Manager at Spotty Otter, said: “It’s been such an exciting project for us, working so closely with a brand like JCB that means so much to farming families and to our wider community.

“We’ve thought about every detail to make sure it feels right, from the design through to the practical features, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created together.

“At the end of the day, everything we do is about getting children outside more. We really hope kids will love wearing it, that it becomes part of their adventures, and that it helps them get stuck into outdoor life in all weathers.

“If it means more time exploring, playing, and making memories, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”

Designed with farming families in mind

Anyone raising children in the countryside knows that outdoor clothing needs to withstand more than the occasional muddy puddle.

From helping with everyday jobs around the farm to spending hours exploring outdoors, children need clothing that allows them to move freely while keeping them warm, dry and comfortable.

The Spotty Otter JCB collection combines practical features with designs inspired by farming machinery.

The waterproof dungarees offer 10,000mm waterproof protection, windproof performance, fully taped seams and water-repellent zips to help keep children dry in wet conditions.

Four-way comfort stretch allows freedom of movement, while adjustable braces, elasticated waists and ankle cuffs provide a comfortable fit. Reflective strips offer added visibility in lower-light conditions, alongside practical pockets for everyday essentials.

The fleece-lined wellies are designed for muddy fields, wet farmyards and countryside adventures, helping to keep little feet warm and comfortable during time outdoors.

Combining practical protection with JCB’s distinctive colours and heritage-inspired designs, they’re made for everything from splashing through puddles to exploring the farm, whatever the British weather brings.

Durability is another consideration for farming families, where outdoor clothing is often worn repeatedly before being handed down to younger siblings, cousins or friends.

Fully washable and designed for regular outdoor use, the collection reflects Spotty Otter’s focus on creating clothing that lasts, whether it’s worn on the farm, at agricultural shows or during everyday outdoor adventures.

Celebrating British farming and engineering

Beyond the practicalities of outdoor clothing, the collaboration reflects a shared connection to British heritage.

JCB’s iconic yellow machinery has been a familiar sight across British farms for generations, playing a role in the changing face of agriculture and becoming part of everyday life for many farming families.

As JCB celebrates 80 years of engineering heritage, the collaboration with Spotty Otter offers a different way of recognising that history.

Featuring hand-drawn illustrations of JCB machinery through the ages, the collection incorporates the company’s signature colours into designs inspired by the machines that have become part of Britain’s farming landscape.

The partnership brings together two Midlands brands, combining JCB’s engineering history with Spotty Otter’s experience in creating practical children’s outdoor clothing.

Sam Johnson, Senior Licensing Manager at JCB, said: “From the very beginning, this partnership with Spotty Otter felt like a natural fit. Their commitment to creating durable, high-quality clothing for children who love the outdoors aligns perfectly with JCB’s own ethos.

“We’ve loved seeing our heritage brought to life through the print, and it was brilliant to welcome families to our headquarters for the photoshoots. It was such a great day, and we all had a fantastic time.”

For many farming families, a love of the countryside is passed down through generations, shaped by childhood experiences of animals, machinery and life on the land. And while farming continues to evolve, the simple pleasures of growing up outdoors remain much the same.

The JCB and Spotty Otter collaboration celebrates that connection, bringing together British farming, engineering and the families at the heart of rural life.

After all, for the next generation of young farmers, the adventure often begins long before they climb into the driver’s seat.

The Spotty Otter JCB collection

The collection includes:

• Spotty Otter JCB Waterproof Dungarees – £75: Available for children aged 1–10 years, featuring 10,000mm waterproof protection, adjustable braces and reflective detailing.

• Spotty Otter JCB Fleece-Lined Wellies – £40: Available from Infant UK 4 (EU 21) to Junior UK 3 (EU 36).

Explore the collection at www.spottyotter.co.uk.