Countryfile: Harvest
Countryfile
In this harvest-themed programme, Matt visits a farm in Buckinghamshire where they do things the old-fashioned way. That means scythes, steam-driven reaper binders, and vintage tractors. Even the wheat is old-fashioned. On this farm they grow prehistoric varieties like those found in Tutankhamun's tomb. And, as Matt discovers, this ancient wheat makes delicious pasta!
Ellie is at a secret site in Dorset where they are just about to harvest an incredible crop. Very valuable. Very potent. Opium poppies. Grown under licence from the government for medical use. She also visits the farm where they grow more everyday herbs and plants to be used as ointments and tinctures. Ellie then meets the people behind a project to captive breed and release into the wild one of our most-beloved creatures - the harvest mouse. And Adam's on his farm, juggling looking after his livestock with getting on with his own harvest.
John Craven is joined by Bill Bailey and Naomi Wilkinson to pick the 12 winning entries in the Countryfile Photographic Competition. Then you'll get the chance to vote for the overall winner - which will the grace the cover of the Countryfile Calendar for 2016.