“There’s no such thing as a ‘farmer’s wife'”

Grace from Love in the Countryside is the youngest rural singleton looking for love on the second series of BBC Two’s country dating programme, hosted by farmer’s daughter Sara Cox.

Grace, 23, is a dairy and stock rearing farmer who helps run her family farm on the Welsh Shropshire border. Set to take over the business when her father retires in a few years, Grace is on the hunt for a “fun, exciting, enthusiastic” man who can share that life with her.

In Episode One of Love in the Countryside (Tuesday 17th September), Grace speed-dates the six potential partners she has chosen from a long list of admirers. They include 28-year-old Royal Mail Manager, Greg; 27-year-old Welsh hobby farmer, Mike; and 31-year-old trainee psychologist, Martin.

Country Living caught up with Grace before Episode One aired and her televised hunt for love began. Here’s what she had to say…

How are you feeling about Love in the Countryside starting?

I’m very nervous because there’s times when the boys will be sharing their feelings and I never got to see or hear that during filming, so I’m nervous to hear what they’ve said about me. But I’d like to think that, being a young female, I show everyone the lighter side of farming and show that we are all people and we all want the same things in life: to love and be loved and have a family.

I’m hoping that I come across as a kind person and a bit of an ambassador for the farming community. I’m hoping that I’ll be praised for what I do because I have a great care for the farm and the animals that are in my life.

What made you want to apply for Love in the Countryside?

I’m looking to take over the farm when dad retires in the next couple of years. I have no time as it is so I think that, when I do take over at home, I’ll have even less time and no back-up. It’s great to have my dad as a back-up at the moment – like today I’ve come to London to go on the One Show and I’m lucky that he’s there to take on the milking for me – but he’s not going to want to do that forever.

I’d just love the support of someone, just like my parents give to each other. I’d love to be able to say ‘he’s my partner and he supports me through everything I do’. That’s why.

I live with 120 cows and 500 sheep and I find love for all of them, now I need love for a man.

Without giving anything away, did you get your happy ending?

There’s always a happy ending. It doesn’t matter whether I found someone or not because I live in a gorgeous place and have a gorgeous family and having a gentleman in my life would just be the cherry on the cake.

What is your view on the role of a ‘farmer’s wife’?

There’s no such thing as a ‘farmer’s wife’ because I am a farmer myself. My mum is not a ‘farmer’s wife’ – she cleans the parlour, she does the calves and she’s raised four children. She’s an amazing woman. Anyone who uses the phrase ‘farmer’s wife’ needs a slap on the wrist because they are so much more, they are an angel to their husband and their family and they cope with so much.

The farmer’s wife is not the supporting role – you should both support each other through thick and thin. It’s about mutual respect.

What did you learn about yourself during dating process?

I learnt that I am definitely the problem. I have perhaps not always given the people in my life as much time as they’ve deserved. I work an insane amount of hours to the point where I make myself ill but I’ve learnt that I need to appreciate the people around me more, including friends, family and partners. I need to appreciate that it’s not all about the farm.

I came to a sudden realisation of that during filming and it was quite heartbreaking for me to realise that what I do is not normal. It’s not normal to work that many hours and it’s not normal to put cows and sheep before yourself – but it’s what we do.

What is your dating history?

I’ve had two quite serious relationships – one of them I lived with. One was a farmer and one was a farm manager – I met them through my parents and at an agricultural show. They were both lovely people but it wasn’t right. When both of you go out the door at 5am and don’t come back through it until 10pm, it’s hard, and you can’t ask either to give up that life because no-one’s life is more important than another.

Have you ever considered giving up farming?

When I was a child I always wanted to be in pantomime because I love singing and performing. There’s a little part of me that always thinks I should have taken up singing and run away to live the city life but, actually, I went to uni in the city and hated it.

Some days I get so cross on the farm but them I turn around and look at a cow and she’s giving me that silly face and I just think ‘no, I couldn’t do it’.

Are you looking forward to taking over your family farm?

I’m so excited. I’ll work every hour God gives me just to be able to walk down that field and breathe in that cow-muck-filled air. I think some people would probably hate it but I can’t help but love it. I love to think that I’m providing milk and beef and lamb – it’s like doing a public service. We provide a home for so many animals that are genuinely loved and treasured.

Love in the Countryside is on BBC Two on Tuesday at 9pm.