Alasdair Boden: ‘Accidental’ farmers bring fresh ideas

Christmas morning 1994 and, under the tree in our suburban house, was a wooden model farm.

It wasn’t for me, it was for my brother. I was the one documenting the day with the black-and-white video camera Santa had got me.

For 30 years, farming was never in my vision. Even when we moved back to the Lake District, we were comfortable with the two acres of land that came with our old farmhouse.

See also: Lucy Walker – Frustration at fields filled with walkers

About the author

Alasdair Boden

Having been brought up in Kendal, Alasdair Boden returned to the Lake District in 2019 when he and his wife, Heather, bought a holiday cottage business. The 37-year-old describes himself as an “accidental farmer’ having later acquired the 40ha historically connected to the enterprise.

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However, within six months, we had gone from two acres to over 85.

We started to take a greater interest in our land, the soil and the greater responsibility we now had. You never own land in the Lake District, you are merely custodians for the next generation.

When I worked 9 to 5 in an office, I never felt so disconnected from nature, the seasons and the environment. Now we have a growing herd of cows, plus plans for sheep and pigs. 

We’re not alone. One of the most famous accidental farmers is Jeremy Clarkson. I don’t believe he planned to get so involved in the actual farming, looking at it more for the TV potential.

However, there’s no denying he’s smitten.

There are similar examples all over the country where people have bought land either for investment, tax reasons or for a bit of fun, with no intention of getting involved.

Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not.

We have no idea what we’re doing, so we rely on our own team of Kalebs and cheerful Charlies, but we bring fresh ideas.

Many problems in agriculture stem from simply doing as your dad did. We don’t do that. We question things, which stops many in their tracks.

We might be naive, but sometimes we’re right – and that’s how an industry progresses.

As for me, well I’m smitten too, and spend my days browsing land sales and looking for more cows (I’m just hoping my wife’s not reading this).

What about my brother? He works behind a desk in Edinburgh, however he does visit the farm every so often. But in his trendy sneakers.