Amanda Owen, the beloved star of Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, has lifted the lid on the harsh financial reality behind the picturesque life at Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale, Yorkshire. In a candid live television interview on January 27, 2026, the mother of nine confessed that the dream viewers saw on screen came at a “terrifying” personal and financial cost—one that has pushed her family to a breaking point.

The remote hill farm, perched 1,600 feet above sea level and accessible only by a steep, winding track, has long captivated audiences with its rolling green hills, newborn lambs, and the Owen children’s fearless adventures. But behind the camera, Amanda revealed, “we have to sacrifice a lot of things” just to keep the farm running. Feeding nine children, maintaining livestock, repairing equipment, and covering basic utilities in one of Britain’s most isolated locations is proving unsustainable amid soaring energy prices, rising feed costs, and unpredictable weather patterns intensified by climate change.

Amanda admitted that the family frequently faces “constant battles” to make ends meet. “People see the lambs and the scenery and think it’s idyllic,” she said. “But the reality is terrifying. We’ve had nights where I’ve lain awake wondering how we’ll pay the next electricity bill or afford winter feed for the sheep.” She highlighted one specific struggle that keeps her up at night: the crippling cost of fuel and heating oil needed to keep the centuries-old stone farmhouse warm through brutal Yorkshire winters. With prices having doubled in recent years, the family has resorted to rationing heat, wearing multiple layers indoors, and prioritizing essential repairs over comfort.

The financial strain has been compounded by the end of regular television income following the show’s conclusion in 2023. While spin-offs and book deals provided temporary relief, Amanda explained that the farm itself generates little profit. “Hill farming is marginal at best,” she said. “We sell lambs and wool, but the margins are tiny. Most years we break even—if we’re lucky.” Government subsidies, once a lifeline for upland farmers, have been steadily reduced, and extreme weather events—floods, droughts, and late frosts—have wiped out entire seasons’ earnings.

Amanda’s revelation has sparked concern among fans, many of whom assumed the family’s life was financially secure thanks to TV fame. Social media has been flooded with worried messages: “I had no idea it was this hard for them,” one viewer wrote. “They made it look so magical.” Others expressed admiration for Amanda’s honesty, with one comment reading: “Thank you for showing the real cost. It’s not all cute lambs—farming is brutal.”

The Owens have always emphasized self-sufficiency, growing much of their own food and homeschooling their children to keep costs down. But Amanda admitted even these measures are no longer enough. “We’ve sacrificed holidays, new clothes, even simple treats for the kids,” she said. “Everything goes back into the farm or the family. There’s nothing left over.”

Looking ahead, Amanda hinted at difficult decisions on the horizon. While she remains committed to Ravenseat—“this land is in our blood”—she acknowledged that without significant changes, the farm’s future is uncertain. “We’re not giving up,” she insisted. “But we can’t pretend it’s easy. Anyone who thinks this life is a dream needs to see the bills, the broken fences, the sleepless nights.”

Her stark warning has resonated far beyond Yorkshire. As rural communities across Britain face similar pressures, Amanda Owen’s words serve as a sobering reminder: the postcard-perfect image of farm life often hides a daily fight for survival. For the Owens, the battle continues—one lamb, one bill, one hard winter at a time.