The high-stakes gamble of farming Britain's increasingly expensive soil
In short: In 1970, British farming faced a stark divide: the land was becoming so costly that only the exceptionally wealthy or the incredibly brave could afford to work it. This archival film explores that tension through five contrasting lives.
The documentary 'Living Off the Land' examines the economic pressures on British agriculture, highlighting a landscape where high land prices dictate who can survive. It contrasts the struggles of two small-scale farmers in mid-Wales against the operations of three of the country's largest farmers.
While the small-scale farmers fight to make a living, the large-scale operations in Lincolnshire are characterized by massive acreages, personal estates, and complex business structures. The film serves as a study of the risks and rewards inherent in modern farming, illustrating the difficulties of maintaining a viable livelihood on pricey soil.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 1970: Living off the Land - Farming in Britain | The Philpott File | BBC Archive
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/nature-1970-living-off-the-land-farming-in-britain-the-philpott-fil.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Farming · More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics
