Wartime Farming
It's the fourth episode of Wartime Farm, the programme which explores how the nation dug in and stayed fed during the Second World War.
The team discovers that Wartime Farmers could lose everything - their home and their land - if the government did not think they were productive enough. Over 2000 farmers deemed 'not good enough' were thrown off their farms during the war.
Ruth, Peter and Alex face a World War Two-style government inspection, meeting an expert who tells them to grow and to get their milking operation up and running.
In the process they confront the wave of mechanisation that government regulation brought to wartime farming, grappling with a new tractor and getting to grips with a milking machine. Yet they are dealt a bitter blow with the loss of a prime dairy cow.
Peter also launches a rabbit-breeding concern and they take in the latest release from the Ministry of Information, who made films urging farmers to use the very latest techniques in the fields.
The team also discovers the chilling story of a local farmer who lost his life in a dramatic shoot-out with the police after the authorities tried to remove him from his farm for failing to meet his required targets.
With their hard work completed the inspector returns to judge the state of the farm and award them their all-important official 'grade' - determining whether their efforts have been a success or a failure.
Wartime Farm: Episode Four is first shown on BBC Two and BBC HD on Thursday, 27th September 2012 at 8.00pm. For further broadcast information, and to watch online where available, please visit bbc.co.uk.
- Discover more about the series and other episodes
- Ever thought about studying history with The Open University?
Get closer to the Wartime Farm
-
Download your free 'Wartime Farm' booklet
How did a hungry island remain fed during a long, wearying conflict? Download your free Wartime Farm booklet to find out.
Read now Download your free 'Wartime Farm' booklet -
Wartime Farm: Can you Beat The Ministry
A nation at war has many demands on its machinery and manpower - can you share resources more effectively than Lord Woolton and help the war effort?
Take part nowWartime Farm: Can you Beat The MinistryLevel: 1 Introductory
-
Wartime Farm: Food In the World War
Some nations suffered harshly during the shortages of wartime - others adapted and managed to keep their populace well-fed. Explore our map to hear some of the stories.
Take part nowWartime Farm: Food In the World WarLevel: 1 Introductory
Perspectives on the Second World War
-
Timewatch: Revisiting Omaha - discussion
John Farren chairs a discussion about the difficulties of making accurate TV history, taking the Timewatch Bloody Omaha programme as a starting point.
Listen nowTimewatch: Revisiting Omaha - discussionLevel: 1 Introductory
-
The Clydebank Blitz
What was it that made Clydebank such a tempting target for the Luftwaffe?
Read nowThe Clydebank BlitzLevel: 1 Introductory
-
Colossus
At the heart of the code-breaking effort during WWII was an incredible piece of engineering - Colossus - the world's first programmable computing device.
Listen nowColossusLevel: 1 Introductory
Newsletter
We invite you to discuss this subject, but remember this is a public forum.
Please be polite, and avoid your passions turning into contempt for others. We may delete posts that are rude or aggressive, or edit posts containing contact details or links to other websites.