Jimmy’s Farm

Jimmy’s Farm was a documentary series, in 2002, made by Fresh One Productions for BBC Two in the UK. It featured the story of Jimmy Doherty setting up the Essex Pig Company, a rare breeds piggery on the outskirts of Ipswich in Suffolk. The drama revolved around Jimmy’s previous lack of hands-on experience of farming, the financial struggles involved in starting a small business, and Jimmy’s relationships with employees, friends and his girlfriend, Michaela Furney. Doherty was a childhood friend of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who gave him a loan to help get the farm started, and appeared in one episode of the series. The series was followed up with a one-off special, Back on Jimmy’s Farm, and a second series, Return to Jimmy’s Farm.

A new series called Crisis on Jimmy’s Farm aired on BBC in 2007, featuring developments on the farm including the opening of Guinea Pig village, the making of Ferret Folly as well as the struggles of ensuring the extension of the lease and problems with Christmas hamper orders.

The farm itself is open all year to the public and features a café, hatchery, Piglet shed and also a nature trail.

The first series of Jimmy’s Farm was released on DVD in the UK by Revelation Films in March 2010.