Farming university boosted by 'Clarkson effect'

The Royal Agriculture University says it has seen an increase in applicants thanks to the Clarkson's Farm series

An agricultural university has reported an increase in applicants to one of its farming programmes due to what it calls the "Clarkson effect".

The Royal Agriculture University (RAU), in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has seen an 11% increase in applications to its three-year rural land management BSc course compared to last year.

Will Marsh, director of external relations at the RAU, said the Clarkson's Farm Amazon Prime series, featuring TV Presenter Jeremy Clarkson, has ensured farming is recognised nationally.

"When you watch the programme, you can see how rewarding that career is, you can see how complicated it is and how far-reaching it is," Mr Marsh said.

"I suppose what he's [Clarkson] done a good job of is he's not showing [farming] as glamorous.

"He's put it on a national level of awareness."

The former Top Gear host runs Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, which features in the show.

The university said the "Clarkson effect'" has provided a great boost for those entering the agriculture sector by highlighting the many aspects of farming.

The RAU has also seen an 18% rise in applicants to its land management course with an added farm placement.

It said this may have been inspired by Clarkson's Farm land agent, "Cheerful" Charlie Ireland, who runs everything behind the scenes on the farm.

Mr Marsh said: "It's not obvious when you think 'okay, I'm going to study agriculture' because people probably think it's learning how to work a tractor and a combine harvester.

"Whether you like Jeremy Clarkson or not as a person, I think for farming and agriculture and all the sort of related subjects and sector, that's shone a light."

Mr Marsh said Clarkson's Farm has shown people how rewarding farming can be

The university has also welcomed one of the stars of the TV series, Kaleb Cooper, to their teaching team.

Mr Cooper, an experienced farm hand who helps Clarkson on the show, will be working with RAU to support future farmers through scholarships for students from non-farming backgrounds - like him.

The director said Mr Cooper has helped make it "cool" to be a farmer.

"Kaleb Cooper is very important to us," Mr Marsh said. "He's a charismatic young man who's not come from a farming background.

"He's really keen to broaden that reach and he's a great advocate for our university and in general, the career."

'Farming more accessible'

Richard Cornock, a dairy farmer based in Tytherington in South Gloucestershire, says he's "not surprised" at the Clarkson effect.

Since 2012, Richard has uploaded videos to his popular YouTube channel 'The Funky Farmer'.

He said: "25 years ago, if you were sitting in a flat in somewhere like Brixton in London, you would have no idea what goes on behind the scenes of a farm.

"Now thanks to shows like Clarkson's Farm and videos on YouTube and TikTok, farming is accessible to everyone."