Kaleb Cooper Credit: PLANK PR
You would be hard pressed to find someone who had not watched or heard of Clarkson's Farm, the smash hit TV programme where former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson documented his somewhat tumultuous journey into farming in the Cotswolds.
A new farming star has been born though, in the form of Kaleb Cooper, charming the nation with his witty one-liners and, quite simply, his core passion for agriculture.
Acting as Jeremy's right-hand man, Kaleb has become Chipping Norton's celebrity farmer, although he rather resents the idea of being referred to as a celebrity and much prefers the idea of Kaleb the farmer, who, by his own admission, will always have his feet firmly planted in the Cotswolds.
Kaleb says: "Farming runs through my blood. I physically cannot see myself doing anything else. Yes, I am on television and have books out and I am going on tour, but at the core of all that stuff is farming, and that is me."
See also: Best farming phrases from Kaleb Cooper and Jeremy Clarkson from Clarkson's Farm
Known for holding pretty strong and sometimes divisive opinions on sheep, tractors, London and, of course, whether his co-star and boss can farm or not, Kaleb has now decided to add something else to that long list, sharing his wisdom and views on some of Britain's most eccentric rural traditions.
From nettle eating to gravy wrestling, Kaleb is on a mission with his new book ‘Britain According to Kaleb - The Wonderful World of Country Life' to get more people talking about the quirkier aspects of rural living, which the farming community has embraced with open arms for decades, but those outside the agriculture bubble are blissfully unaware of.
Kaleb may now be a TV star, a critically acclaimed author and about to embark on his own tour in the New Year, but, at the heart of it all is an undeniable passion and drive to promote the best of British agriculture, ensuring it is an industry accessible to everyone and anyone.
It is why earlier in the year Kaleb decided to join forces with the Royal Agricultural University to offer a bursary for two, possibly three, farming-obsessed individuals who are looking for that opening opportunity to get into farming.
Kaleb says: "If I can help get young people into farming it would mean the world to me. I kind of think I was put on this planet to do that.
"I do not drink coffee when I am farming - I have so much adrenaline when I am farming it just would not work. I want to get out there to try and change the world of farming."
Kaleb's success is made even more impressive given he has no farming ties in his family. His mum runs a successful dog grooming business and his dad is a carpenter.
Both of them are hard-workers and it is that sheer graft, grit and resilience which has helped carve Kaleb's own personal journey into agriculture. That and also the kindness of farmers who have given him opportunities and experiences.
See also: New entrant couple start small and see farming business flourish
He says: "I love farming, that is me; that is who I am as a person. The day I stop farming, god knows what I will be doing.
"For a young farmer getting into the industry, my advice would be to drive down a farmer's drive.
"Normally the farmer will be working, so have a conversation while helping them and show that you can do the job and that you are willing to learn. Any farmer out there would then think this young girl or young boy has got something about them."
He added that at the beginning it should not matter how much money you are earning, it is all about the experience you are able to get on-farm.
Kaleb was 13 years old when he got his first job in farming and, believe it or not, it was dairy which was his first love.
He says: "Without dairy farming I would not be where I am today. No chance. I have a lot of time for the dairy industry and dairy farmers. I mean who does not have a pint of milk in their fridge? Nobody."
His passion has since led to him to go into partnership with a close friend, supporting the farmer in getting more milk in the tank by purchasing some of his own dairy cows to add to his herd.
In return, Kaleb keeps the calves and admits he has this new-found obsession for Wagyu beef, adding that it might even be a venture he would explore in the future.
When it comes to thinking about what lies ahead, Kaleb has his eyes firmly set on the prize, and that is to one day own his own farm.
It is a dream that 13-year-old Kaleb believed in and one that 25-year-old Kaleb is now determined to make happen, no matter what.
He says: "I am a firm believer of setting a dream, [but] dreams do not work unless you do. This is in my head continuously, I am probably my worst enemy as I never stop.
"You will have seen on my Instagram that I am literally out there doing something all the time. The day I buy my own farm I can firmly say I have ticked that dream of my list, I have done it. It will have been a long journey.
"I want to take people on that experience and hopefully, fingers crossed, I can do this. I have the farming industry at the back of my head all the time; I want to do a good job and push farming out there."
Kaleb now finds himself being constantly asked for advice from farmers both online and in person when out and about at public events.
It is a responsibility he fully embraces and enjoys, valuing the community farming offers. He still phones his neighbouring farmer to ask his opinion on whether to cut his hay or not.
- See Kaleb and Jeremy at the Farmers Guardian's British Farming Awards
But what advice he would give 13-year-old Kaleb if he could start it all over again?
"I would tell him to push himself more, but I do push myself so much already to the point I physically cannot do any more.
"Normally in winter I get really ill because I slow down a little bit and get poorly. I think every farmer is like that.
"I would also probably tell him to join a Young Farmers' Club, as I never joined one. I missed out on all socials of young farmers. I missed out a lot on the networking and could have been on more farms earlier on."
Kaleb and his fiancee Taya now have two children together - a boy named Oscar and a girl named Willa.
Kaleb is quick to say that although it would be great for his children to follow his farming passion, he would never want to force them into agriculture, although he would not be keen on them moving to London, he jokes.
He says: "I never want to push them into an industry they do not want to be in. But if they wanted to go to London to be an accountant, lawyer or any job in London, I hope they know I will not visit them unless I am on tour in London and I am still touring in 20 years' time.
"I am quite happy here in Chipping Norton and if I can buy a farm round here I would be very happy."
