‘Countryfile’ presenter Adam Henson has opened up about his plans for the future as he prepares to leave his Cotswolds farm.
Henson, who is best known for his role in the popular BBC show ‘Countryfile’. is ready to vacate the tenancy for his 650ha Cotswolds farm when his current lease runs out.
The show first aired in 1989 and has earned a permanent slot every Sunday evening on BBC One. The show now regularly receives between 6-7 million viewers.
Henson first joined ‘Countryfile’ in 2001, eventually getting his weekly segment ‘Adam’s Farm’ in 2009.
Henson took over the farm from his father, Joe, in 1999 after graduating from Seale-Hayne Agricultural College in Devon with a higher national diploma in agriculture and management.
It was there he became friends with his current business partner, Duncan Andrews, who, along with his family, joined Henson on the large farm.
Departure
The Henson family have never owned the farm. Henson is currently leasing it off a neighbour on a 15-year tenancy agreement.
Henson and his wife Charlie plan on moving to a nearby bungalow of the estate in 12 years when his tenancy expires, as he said his two children have no interest in taking over the Cotswolds farm.
Cotswold Farm Park has over 50 breeding flocks and herds of rare native British animals, and is reported to attract 180,000 visitors yearly, boosting local tourism and employment.
The farm has huge amount of biodiversity and wildlife, and Henson aims to produce good quality food in environmentally sensitive way while maximising the output from the land.
Henson has previously stated that farmers are now more focused on the environment and reaching premature net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target.
Henson’s main message remains in that he does not want is the government to allow cheap food in from abroad which doesn’t match any of the environmental criteria they work so hard on.
