"I have got a young following and feel drawn to help them and highlight why farming is so good" Kaleb Cooper

Kaleb Cooper, known to many as one of the nation's most well-known farmers, has not let TV stardom change his deep-rooted passion for farming. Alongside his contracting business, he has become a best-selling author and a prominent advocate for the farming industry. Emily Ashworth, Farmers Guardian's online editor chats to Kaleb about his new book, "It's a Farming Thing," In the book, Kaleb offers a memoir-style insight into his love for agriculture, aiming to inspire young people and shed light on the joys and benefits of a career in farming.

As a firm believer in the importance of showcasing farming to the public, Kaleb has taken on the role of industry ambassador, highlighting the rich traditions, history, and positive impact of farming. Through initiatives like The Kaleb Cooper Agriculture Bursary, he encourages young individuals to consider farming as a viable and rewarding career choice. Kaleb firmly believes that true understanding of farming can only be achieved by experiencing life on the farm firsthand, and he advocates for providing opportunities for students to engage in on-farm experiences.

He says: "Farming gets a lot of negativity, and I wanted to show the youngsters how I started out in farming.

"I have got a young following and feel drawn to help them and highlight why farming is so good for me and how it could be for other people too.

"It is a way of life; farmers would not be doing what they are doing if they did not love their job.

"Farmers will relate [to the book] but I wanted to get to the general public and show them what we love doing the most and show them the traditions – our history goes way back."

Amidst the misconceptions surrounding the industry, Kaleb emphasises the significance of farming in driving economic stability and providing rewarding career paths. He asserts that farming is not only about hard work but also about passion, resilience, and a deep connection to the land. Kaleb's own journey in farming has been transformative, and he recognizes the potential of farming to offer individuals, regardless of their background, a path to success and fulfillment.

Alongside his contracting business, he is currently rearing a couple of Oxford Sandy Black pigs as well as about 188 cattle, which go to the local butchers or into Jeremy Clarkson's new pub (The Farmer's Dog) and a few Wagyu cows, which are being bred for his wedding next year.

"There are also 21 dairy cows, and a local young farmer milks them and rents them off me," he says.

"He wanted to up his milk in the tank, but he could not afford more cows, so I bought some and helped him put robots in." 

Another section in the book focuses on food, urging people to value what they eat more.

If you're interested in learning more about a career in agriculture, visit the Career Zone at LAMMA 2025 or sign up to free job alerts through the Jobs In Agriculture website.