Harriet Cowan, one of the breakout stars of Clarkson's Farm, has criticised presenter Jeremy Clarkson over a particular element of his farming methods. Harriet, 25, first featured in the fourth series of the popular Amazon Prime programme, stepping in to assist Jeremy, 66, while Kaleb Cooper was touring the UK.
Hedge-cutting disagreement revealed
Since her debut on the programme, Harriet has established herself as a firm fan favourite. She was employed as a full-time community nurse before choosing to dedicate herself entirely to her farming career. She has also previously assisted on both her family's Derbyshire farm and Jeremy's.
Regarding her role at Diddly Squat farm, Harriet has offered crucial advice to the former Top Gear and Grand Tour host Jeremy, including guidance on the optimal methods for trimming his hedges. In her book Life On The Farm, Harriet revealed they'd experienced a disagreement concerning hedge-cutting techniques and the approach farmers take to this vital task.
Wildlife protection advice
This followed a query about why farmers trim hedges during hectic periods and subsequently drive at reduced speeds. Harriet responded: "You know hedge-cutting isn't done deliberately slowly, right? It has to be that way? And you know we have to fit that job in around the hundreds of others that we do in the day, so sometimes it's about when we can get out and get trimming and not about annoying people on the road.
"And if you don't trim your hedges, like I told Jeremy, who was being all weird keeping his hedges wild because he didn't want 'Surrey' hedges or some crap, big birds will come and eat the little birds who are nesting.
"If you can keep your hedges trimmed and therefore fuller and thicker, you give smaller birds and wildlife the chance to survive. And to be honest, I care more about that than the five minutes I might hold you up on your way to the shops."
Reflections on changing seasons
Beyond explaining the importance of proper hedge maintenance for protecting wildlife, Harriet also reflected on the shifting seasons. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she shared her feelings as daylight hours diminished and evenings drew in. She noted that farmers experience this transition more acutely than most people might.
She explained: "There's something about this time of year that always feels like a bit of a reset.
"The days are getting shorter, the evenings a little colder, the fields are slowly changing and suddenly you find yourself reaching for the gilet and boots again. I think farming makes you notice the seasons more than most. You don't just see them change, you work your whole life around them.
"One minute you're desperate for a dry spell, the next you're watching the grass disappear, checking stock, thinking about winter feed and wondering how on earth another year has gone by so quickly. This year has already brought so many pinch-me moments, new opportunities, big changes and plenty of chaos along the way, but I think it's these really ordinary moments that keep me grounded."
