Clarkson’s Farm breakout star Harriet Cowan has opened up about the stark reality of the agricultural world, admitting she earns nothing from farming even after her popularity soared on Jeremy Clarkson’s hit Amazon Prime series.
The 24-year-old became a fan favourite when she stepped in for Kaleb Cooper during his absence on Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm, impressing viewers with her skill and easy rapport with the former Top Gear host.
Having grown up on her grandfather’s livestock farm, Harriet has been immersed in agriculture all her life. But she told BBC’s Farmwatch that financial rewards are almost non-existent. “We cannot reiterate how important this is for us, that we don’t do this because it’s going to make us money. Probably 90% of farms do not make money from the farm – I know I don’t,” she said, adding that the work is “seven days a week, unpaid, and can be incredibly lonely.”
Fellow farmer and Great British Bake Off alum Mike Wilkins explained that most earnings are reinvested into the farm, leaving farmers without wages. Harriet agreed, saying it’s more of a way of life than a business.
Her role on Clarkson’s Farm came about when Clarkson’s land agent, Charlie Ireland, told her the team was seeking someone to fill Kaleb’s boots – ideally a woman to show she could handle the job just as well. Harriet admitted she wasn’t particularly familiar with Clarkson’s past work and joked: “He’s got the physique of a farmer.”
Despite her rising profile, Harriet still works full-time as a nurse – inspired by her mother – while helping her father on the family farm. She graduated from the University of Derby in 2023 and now juggles two demanding careers, driven by both passion and family legacy.
