Reality television star Amanda Owen, famed for Channel 4's Our Yorkshire Farm, has issued a powerful and defiant response to online critics who have branded her a 'pretend farmer'.
A Raw Glimpse into Farming Life
The 51-year-old shepherdess took to Instagram to offer her followers an unfiltered look at the demanding reality of her work. In a candid video and series of selfies posted on 19th November 2025, Owen highlighted the stark contrast between her public appearances and her daily grind.
She detailed how she had transitioned directly from a glamorous evening event to the physically taxing task of mucking out sheep pens in torrential rain. The mother of nine was in the midst of preparing a large number of sheep for a sale at Hawes auction mart, a routine but vital part of genuine farming operations.
Defiant Message to the Doubters
Addressing her detractors head-on, Owen 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.” Her post served as direct evidence of her hands-on involvement.
In the caption, she elaborated on the 'serious contrasts' in her life, writing, “It takes some handling, from high glamour to muck midden in no particular order.” She emphasised the core of her work, describing it as “grass roots level farming, stockmanship, food on plates, and turning out whatever the weather.”
Owen concluded with a pointed message about the importance of farmers, urging the public, “Don't look the other way and pretend that we can manage without farmers, we can't.”
Overwhelming Fan Support
The public response to her post was swift and overwhelmingly positive, with fans and followers flooding the comments with messages of support and admiration.
One long-time supporter wrote, “Been watching for years and following for a long time - she IS a real farmer and Lordy, she works hard!” Others expressed awe at her work ethic, with comments like, “Not sure how you do it all!”
Further comments praised her for not needing to justify herself, with one fan adding, “God bless you and your family, Amanda. You work so hard and are an inspiration to many.”
Amanda Owen and her family, including her former spouse Clive, have been offering a window into their rural lives since their show, Our Yorkshire Farm, first aired on Channel 4 in 2018. The programme quickly made them household names by showcasing the authentic challenges and triumphs of running a remote Yorkshire farm.
