Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has warned that increasing restrictions on public interaction with farm animals could fundamentally change the hands-on farming experiences he has championed for decades
Adam Henson has shared his worries about the future of interactive farming attractions, cautioning that mounting regulations could dramatically transform the sector he has championed for decades.
During a visit to Cannon Hall Farm, the Countryfile host discussed the expanding relationship between farming and social media, joking about farmers emerging as digital celebrities.
Chatting with farmers Robert and Dave Nicholson, Adam remarked: “You got your faces out there on Facebook on TikTok and on YouTube. You’re influencers. Soon you’ll be in a boxing ring, boxing famous people,” he said.
Addressing the description, Rob rejected the notion of farmers being influencers, maintaining: “When someone says influencer though, don’t you think ‘I’m not an influencer I’m a farmer.’ I always think, the day you call yourself an influencer is possibly the day not to be one.”
Adam concurred, though he redirected the discussion towards a more pressing concern regarding contemporary farming practices and visitor engagement.
Remembering advice from his late father, he stated: “Yeah, absolutely. Interestingly, my dad said the day we have to put animals behind glass is the day we close.”
He went on to stress the growing importance of safety protocols on farms, especially where members of the public are concerned.
“We’re all very conscious of health and safety, hygiene, zoonotic diseases that pass from animals to people, and we have hand washing facilities. I think that’s great that we’re so professional and careful around that,” he noted, reports Wales Online.
Yet Henson was firm about where he believes boundaries must be drawn. “But the day that we’re not allowed to handle a chick, or stroke a rabbit, or bottle feed a lamb, for me, that’s the end of it.”
Rob recognised the need for balance, stating: “Do it, but make sure we observe first-class protocol.”
Henson replied: “Absolutely! And I think that’s where professional organizations like you, and I like to think us, really lead the way.”
Adam, 60, has established himself as one of Britain’s most familiar farming figures since joining Countryfile in 2001. Over the years, he’s earned acclaim for bringing rural life to wider audiences, frequently covering agriculture, conservation and food production.
His television career has included Countryfile Summer Diaries and Inside Out, alongside appearances on BBC Radio 4’s On Your Farm and Farming Today. He also shared presenting duties on Lambing Live with Kate Humble.
Beyond television, Adam manages a working farm in Gloucestershire and remains closely involved with Cotswold Farm Park, a well-known visitor attraction established by his father, Joe Henson.
The site is recognised for its commitment to rare breed preservation and public education – values Adam continues to uphold. Despite his high-profile status, family remains central to his life. He lives with his wife Charlie, while their two adult children, Alfie and Ella, have both chosen professional paths outside agriculture.
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