Frank Carr, a fourth-generation Yorkshire farmer who appeared on BBC's Countryfile, has died at the age of 35. His death on September 25 was confirmed this week by the trade publication Farmers Guardian, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the farming community.
A familiar face on BBC's Countryfile
Carr was a popular and recognisable figure on the BBC show, where he discussed the family farm he acquired, Lee Gate Farm in Malhamdale, North Yorkshire, while working alongside his father, Frank Senior. He also made other media appearances to speak about issues facing the agricultural industry.
In his last episode, aired in August, Carr told viewers about the modern challenges of running a farm and how he came to acquire the business. He explained that after travelling for about two and a half years across Asia, South America and Europe, he returned to farming when his parents divorced and his father and uncle were deciding the farm's future.
"When I was younger and I saw how restricted it was, I was adamant that [farming] was not going to be the life for me," Carr said in the episode. "I went travelling for a good while - about two and a half years. Asia for about a year, South America, Europe, here there and everywhere."
Passion for hill farming
He continued: "When my parents got divorced and my father and uncle were deciding what would happen to its future, we realised I was the only one who had any interest in it, so it was sort of a yes or no."
Carr spoke passionately about the profession, saying: "In farming everyday is an opportunity to learn. Farming is a very rewarding profession although it can be very challenging mentally, it can also be very rewarding so that's another reason why I love what I do."
He also highlighted the financial pressures facing farmers, adding: "At the end of the day farming is a business so the financial aspect is always an issue. There's no real clarity on the future, especially for hill farms."
Tributes from the farming community
Farmers Guardian, which first reported his death, released a statement on social media expressing their sorrow. The statement read: "We are deeply saddened by the death of North Yorkshire hill farmer Frank Carr, aged 35. Frank was a familiar face to Farmers Guardian readers and someone we were fortunate to work with many times over the years."
The publication highlighted his work sharing the realities of farming more than 2,000 acres in the Yorkshire Dales, supporting the #Farm24 campaign, and taking part in their Next Generation Hill Farmers series. "Frank was passionate about his family, his livestock and the future of hill farming," the statement added.
Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones paid tribute, saying: "Frank will be remembered not only as a talented young farmer but as someone who represented the very best of the next generation - committed to his family, his livestock, his land and the future of British farming."
