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Hayhurst’s Hayloft: “Green Acres” is reborn across the pond.

Susan Hayhurst

February 4, 2022

1 Min Read
Terry and Susan Hayhurst visit Diddly Squat Farm in England
DIDDLY SQUAT FOR REAL! Terry and Susan Hayhurst visited a real Diddly Squat Farm in England. Hayley Hayhurst

If you want a hilarious perspective on farm life, watch British entrepreneur Jeremy Clarkson’s TV show “Clarkson’s Farm.” He takes ignorance of farming to an entertaining new level.

The British television documentary series features Clarkson, a cast of characters, and his farm in the breathtaking Cotswolds region of England. Renamed Diddly Squat Farm by him — appropriately named to indicate the farm’s lack of productivity and because Clarkson knew so little about farming — he revels in his decision to become a farmer after buying nearly 1,000 acres in 2008.

Let the fun begin. In 2019, the local villager who farmed the ground retired and Clarkson decided to try farming himself. One of his first priorities was buying a tractor. He wasn’t impressed with the salesman recommending an older, two-wheel-drive tractor. Clarkson gravitated to a massive Lamborghini tractor, not cringing much at the price. He’s a multimillionaire from hosting the British version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

He drove the tractor home but had no idea how to hook up implements. He knew diddly squat!

Upon seeking assistance, he began a sing-song tune, “I’m tractoring, I’m tractoring.”

He added a young, experienced helper, Caleb, who obviously thinks his boss is completely naive about farming, and a regulation-knowledgeable farm manager, Charlie, who tries valiantly to guide Clarkson, without much luck.

He added sheep and was stunned to find out two rams could service 80 sheep.

My husband, Terry, our London-living daughter, Hayley, and I were thrilled to visit the nondescript Diddly Squat Farm Shop last August. We didn’t see Clarkson, but we bought two T-shirts, looked over his bee juice and spied Caleb baling straw.

Hayhurst writes from Terre Haute, Ind.

About the Author

Susan Hayhurst

Susan Hayhurst writes from the farm near Terre Haute, Ind. Hayhurst Farms is a fourth-generation operation raising Polled Hereford cattle, corn and soybeans.

Hayhurst has written for numerous newspapers and agricultural magazines. She coauthored the book “Growing the Fruit of the Spirit: 100 Devotions for Farm Families” with Beth Gormong.

Raised as a city girl, Hayhurst says her life changed overnight when she married her farmer-husband, Terry. They have two adult daughters, Lillian and Hayley; a son-in-law, Kegan; and two granddaughters, Kaelynn and Amelia. Learn more at susanhayhurst.com.

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