Kaleb Cooper: From Selling Eggs to Farming Fame on Clarkson’s Farm

Humble Beginnings in Chipping Norton

Kaleb Cooper, now a household name thanks to Amazon Prime’s Clarkson’s Farm, never imagined his life would lead him to television fame. The 27-year-old farmer told the BBC that his passion for agriculture began in the most unexpected way — with just three chickens he received for his 13th birthday.

“I’m not from a farming background at all,” Cooper explained. “But I learnt from a very young age that I love farming.” Instead of typical teenage gifts like a phone or an Xbox, Cooper’s mother handed him the tools for a future career.

The First Business Venture

Those three chickens quickly turned into an entrepreneurial venture. “I started my first company at thirteen, selling chicken eggs around Chipping Norton with a basket,” Cooper recalled. What started small grew at an astonishing pace. “Within two months of my 13th birthday I had 450 chickens, and I used to walk around, knock on people’s doors and sell my eggs.”

It wasn’t just a hobby. For young Cooper, this was a business — his first taste of the farming industry, which he says initially drew him in with its entrepreneurial possibilities as much as its connection to animals and machinery.

From Chickens to Sheep and Tractors

With the money earned from his egg business, Cooper reinvested in livestock and equipment. Soon he owned sheep and eventually purchased his first tractor. These decisions would lay the groundwork for his career as a contractor.

“Because I wasn’t born into the industry I thought, ‘I’m never going to be handed down a farm,’” he told BBC Radio Oxford. “So I thought I’d become the next best thing — a farm contractor.”

By 16, he was officially running his own contracting business, traveling from farm to farm, helping landowners with their agricultural needs, and then moving on to the next job. “We’ve now been going for 11 years — it’s amazing,” Cooper said proudly.

A Fan Favourite on Clarkson’s Farm

Kaleb’s life took a new turn when he became the right-hand man to Jeremy Clarkson on Clarkson’s Farm. The show follows the former Top Gear presenter’s trials and errors as he attempts to run a 1,000-acre farm in Oxfordshire. Cooper quickly became a fan favorite, largely thanks to his unfiltered frustration at Clarkson’s inexperience.

While Clarkson brought humor and chaos, Cooper provided the know-how and the authenticity. His no-nonsense attitude endeared him to viewers who recognized the realities of modern farming behind the jokes.

Writing for the Next Generation

Alongside farming and television, Cooper has taken on a new role: author. His recently released children’s book draws on his own experiences, blending fun stories with valuable lessons about where food comes from.

“I’m a firm believer that young kids should know how to grow a potato, should know where their milk comes from, where their beef and lamb comes from — and how hard it is to produce,” Cooper explained. His goal is to spark curiosity and respect in children for farming and food production.

Balancing Farming and Family Life

Away from the cameras, Cooper is also a devoted father of three. He considers himself fortunate to spend his days on the farm, a lifestyle that allows his children to join in. “I’m very lucky to be on the farm every day, so my kids can come and help me and actually find it’s really enjoyable,” he said.

Naturally, he hopes his children might follow in his footsteps, but he emphasizes that their happiness comes first. “Of course as a farmer, I want them to follow in my footsteps, but at the same time I want them to be happy and enjoy what they do,” he added.

A Career Built on Passion and Perseverance

Kaleb Cooper’s journey from a teenager with a basket of eggs to a television personality and published author is a story of grit, creativity, and deep passion for farming. He may not have inherited a farm, but through determination and hard work, he built a career that combines business savvy, agricultural expertise, and an unwavering love for the land.

And while he is now recognized far beyond Chipping Norton, Cooper remains true to his roots — a farmer at heart, who believes in the importance of teaching future generations where their food comes from and why farming matters.