TV show First Time Farmers to return to Channel 4

The second series of the hit show First Time Farmers kicks off this Thursday (7 August) at 10pm on Channel 4.

The documentary follows the lives of 12 young farmers from across Britain who, according to Channel 4, are “breathing life into the agricultural world, balancing hardwork with finding time for love, laughter and partying”.

The first series was a hit, with the initial episode getting more than one million viewers and receiving a positive reaction from the farming community.

Farmers Weekly columnist Matthew Naylor dubbed it “a very warm and sympathetic portrayal of the subject matter” .

He said: “Most farmers are decent, inventive, funny, rational and hardworking, just like the First Time Farmers, and it was great to see that expressed.

“Several tweeters expressed annoyance that the programme didn’t show agriculture in a more professional light. I disagree with that, I preferred seeing it for better or worse. I liked the candour and the humanity.”

Two of the farmers featured in this series, brothers James and Richard Manning (pictured above), have shared their top diversification tips with Farmers Weekly .