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What to expect

AS SEEN ON BBC TWO'S HIT TV-SHOW 'THIS FARMING LIFE'

'A heartwarming tale of life on the land' Alan Titchmarsh

'There's love and loss, challenge and adversity, but above all it's warm, insightful and inspiring' Helen Skelton

'Will inspire any reader to look at the countryside - and all those who work there - with newfound appreciation' Jimmy Doherty

'Uplifting, charming and beautifully written' Adam Henson


Emma Gray was just twenty-three when she moved to an isolated farm in Northumberland, becoming Britain's youngest solo shepherdess. In the seasons that followed, Emma fell in love with its rolling fields, surrounding forest and sturdy farmhouse, tending her sheep and training her dogs - and even found romance.

But when Emma finds herself suddenly alone again, heartbroken and recovering from a serious accident, she wonders if her isolated existence is still such a sensible idea. Even if she recovers, how could she make a proper living on Fallowlees Farm?

In her heartwarming book, Emma tells the story of how she picked herself up and expanded her cattle herd, added more horses to her menagerie, and became one of the country's most successful breeders and trainers of Border Collies - unexpectedly discovering true love and lasting happiness along the way.

Written with warmth and humour, My Farming Life is a joyous celebration of nature and community, and a delight for anyone who's ever dreamed of living closer to the countryside.

Critics Review

  • There’s love and loss, challenge and adversity, but above all [this book] is warm, insightful and inspiring. Thank you to Emma for encouraging us to embrace nature, even at its most brutal. A joy and an inspiration in equal measure.

    Helen Skelton
  • A heartening tale of life on the land

    Alan Titchmarsh
  • Emma is a force of nature – at once combining a tender and enduring love for the natural world with a fierce and unwavering determination to carve out a life from the land. A heartening and inspirational tale, told with warmth, affection and good humour, this book will inspire any reader to look at the countryside – and all those who work there – with newfound appreciation.

    Jimmy Doherty
  • Emma’s conversational writing style makes wonderfully easy reading

    This is England

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