Matt Baker's mum, Janice, has opened up about eventually handing over the family farm as her son and his wife, Nicola, prepare for a new chapter.
Speaking about the future and the day-to-day work involved, Janice said: "It'll just be reassuring, the day-to-day sort of checking and things, I'm happy to do. But when it gets to another 10 years' time, we're not going to be able to do that, are we? I mean, eventually you just hand it over, don't you?"
Barn conversion on the family farm
The Countryfile presenter and Nicola are transforming a barn on his parents' farm in Channel 4's Our Barn in the Dales. The couple hopes the conversion will allow them to spend more time helping his mum and dad as their own children grow up.
Opening the debut episode, Matt said: "I am never happier than when I'm here." "This is your happy place," Nicola replied.
Matt's reflections on growing up
Matt continued: "Yeah, I feel really kind of privileged to have grown up here. I've been all over the world, the stuff I've done with my job, but I just keep getting pulled back. This place has been a massive part of my life. My mum and dad bought our farm when I was a lad, and completely renovated the farmhouse into our family home.
"Over the years, we've transformed the 100 acres of barren land into an organic sheep farm, and today it's teeming with wildlife. For me, having a practical upbringing of farming and building was a brilliant way to grow up."
It's a farm that's seen a lot of changes, especially with the breeds of sheep. The latest venture was converting the flock to hardy hill breeds to make things easier for his mum.
A new chapter for the family
Later in the programme, Matt and Nicola reflected on their family's future. Matt said, "It's interesting because we're in this fascinating chapter now, where the kids are growing up. They're going to go off and do whatever they decide to do in their lives."
"And we're in the next phase of ours," Nicola added.
The former One Show host replied: "Yeah, we are, and it's a really exciting phase because we're going to start something epic. We're doing a barn conversion, and we aim to turn the old barn and granary at the end of the courtyard that's along from Mum and Dad's farmhouse into a traditional farm cottage, a home that fits with the heritage of the Durham Dales."
Matt Baker: Our Barn in the Dales is available to watch on All4.
