Turns out there’s more to farm life than mucking out stables and fretting over fluctuating milk prices. On ITV1’s Fletcher’s Family Farm, Kelvin and Liz Fletcher are branching out, embracing diversification with the entrepreneurial spirit of a Silicon Valley startup, minus the venture capital and ping-pong tables.
In this week’s episode, Kelvin takes a decidedly less agricultural approach, turning his attention to the burgeoning craft gin market. Forget tractors and combines; this week, it’s all about botanicals and copper stills. Utilizing foraged berries and herbs from the farm, Kelvin aims to create a small-batch gin that captures the essence of the countryside. Whether it tastes more of juniper or desperation remains to be seen, but the effort is certainly admirable.
Meanwhile, Liz tackles a different kind of fleece—the literal kind. Concerned about the waste from their sheep shearing, she investigates the possibility of transforming the excess wool into cozy blankets. Her journey takes her to a mill in Oldham, where she explores the fascinating process of turning fluffy sheep’s wool into a marketable product. One can imagine the pitch meeting now: “It’s not just a blanket; it’s a hug from a sheep.”
But fear not, fans of traditional farm fare. There’s still plenty of animal antics to keep things grounded. Marnie and Milo, ever the budding naturalists, eagerly check their wildlife cameras, hoping to catch glimpses of the creatures inhabiting their woodland. Will they spot a badger? A fox? Perhaps even the elusive Kelvin, foraging for his next gin infusion?
And finally, some heartwarming news on the bovine front. Ruby the cow, after a period of maternal reluctance, has finally bonded with her calf, allowing the little one to drink. It’s a small victory, but one that resonates with the show’s overall theme of nurturing and growth, both for the animals and the Fletchers themselves.
Fletcher’s Family Farm airs Sundays at 11:25 AM on ITV1.
