Christmas morning 1994 and under the tree of our suburban home was a model wooden farm.

It wasn’t for me, it was for my brother. I was the one documenting the day with the black and white video camera Santa took me.

For 30 years, farming was never in my vision. Even when we moved back to the Lake District, we were comfortable with the two acres of land that came with our old farm.

See also: Lucy Walker – Frustration on fields full of walks

About the author

Alasdair Boden

After growing up in Kendal, Alasdair Boden returned to the Lake District in 2019 when he and his wife Heather bought a holiday cottage business. The 37-year-old describes himself as an “accidental farmer” who later acquired the 40 ha historically linked to the enterprise.

However, within six months, we went from two acres to over 85 acres.

We started to care more about our land, the soil and the greater responsibility we now had. You never own land in the Lake District, you are just custodians for the next generation.

When I was working 9-5 in an office, I never felt so disconnected from nature, the seasons and the environment. We now have a growing herd of cows, plus plans for sheep and pigs.

We are not alone. One of the most famous accidental farmers is Jeremy Clarkson. I don’t think he planned to get so involved in actual farming, looking more at the TV potential.

However, there is no denying that he was hit.

There are similar examples across the country where people have bought land either for investment reasons, tax reasons or just for fun with no intention of getting involved.

Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not.

We have no idea what we’re doing, so we rely on our own team of merry Kalebs and Charlies, but we bring fresh ideas.

Many problems in farming come from simply doing as your father did. We don’t do that. We question things, which turns many off.

We may be naïve, but sometimes we’re right – and that’s how an industry progresses.

As for me, well, I’m in love too and spend my days browsing yard sales and looking for more cows (I just hope my wife isn’t reading this).

What about my brother? He works behind a desk in Edinburgh, but visits the farm from time to time. But in his trendy sneakers.