Amanda Owen, the beloved star of Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm, has received an outpouring of support from fans after she issued a powerful response to online critics who questioned her authenticity as a farmer.
A Glimpse into Real Farm Life
Known to her many followers as The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Owen took to social media to post a compelling video that starkly contrasted the different facets of her life. The footage highlighted the dramatic shift from her polished appearance during a stage talk about her latest book to the gritty reality of labouring in muddy fields during a downpour as she herded sheep for auction.
In a direct message to her detractors, she stated, "For any people who say, 'She's not for real, she's just a pretend farmer,' sorry but these hands do tell a different story." She accompanied the post with a caption that read, "Goodness me, some serious contrasts going on at the moment. It takes some handling, from high glamour to muck midden in no particular order."
Fans Rally with Overwhelming Support
The post, which emphasised the essential nature of "grass roots level farming" and keeping the nation fed, was quickly flooded with messages of admiration and backing from her supporters.
One fan commented, "Not sure how you do it all!" while another long-time follower wrote, "Been watching for years and following a long time- she IS a real farmer and Lordy, she works hard!" Others described her as a "Truly amazing woman/mother/shepherdess," with a fourth supporter adding, "We can't do without our farmers... You are a shining example of this."
A Call for Change and Personal Loss
Amanda Owen concluded her post by suggesting that the common farming emoji should be updated to be less stereotypical and better represent the diverse range of tasks she and other farmers perform daily.
This defiant message comes shortly after the shepherdess and mother-of-nine opened up about the family's devastating emotional loss following the death of their beloved dog, Chalky. She described the whirlwind of emotions, from the "absolute sorrow" of the loss to the highs of her public appearances, crediting "teamwork and a wing and a prayer" for getting them through.
Amanda Owen found fame on Our Yorkshire Farm, which documented life on Ravenseat Farm with her former husband, Clive, and their nine children.
