A 33-year-old Gibsons horse trainer identified as Farmer Ashleigh is one of six B.C. farmers who are inviting "urban daters" to live and work alongside them as part of a forthcoming reality television series.
The 10-episode series Farming for Love will begin filming this fall for broadcast on the CTV network. Six single farmers were selected via an open casting call in early 2022. They include growers, ranchers, a horse trainer, and a vintner with ages ranging from 25 to 49 years.
Farmer Ashleigh, who according to her online profile "likes adventure and spends her spare time ATVing, paddle boarding, or going to the beach," is one of four candidates from agricultural communities on B.C.'s mainland. Two others — a volleyball star turned dairyman and a South African entrepreneur with a knack for animal husbandry — operate farms on Vancouver Island.
Singles from across Canada interested in dating one of the selected farmers can apply online at CTV.ca/FarmingForLove.
The concept is based on a U.K. reality series titled Farmer Wants a Wife that ran for two seasons in 2001 and 2009. According to CTV, the program and its international spin-offs have led to 191 weddings and 445 children.
"I do want to get married. I love love," said the Sunshine Coast woman in a publicity video. "I don't come across that way, but I'm actually pretty mushy. A successful match for me would be somebody who's funny, and respectful and kind, and who likes animals. It's a red flag if they don't like animals, because I think everybody should like animals."
Despite her affinity for animals, Ashleigh said that the "most interesting thing" about her is the fact that she was bitten by a baby octopus while in Secret Cove on a fishing trip.
Dating applicants must be available for filming between September and October 2022, and must agree to live on the designated farm for the total duration of the shoot.
