Season 1

2012-09-03

Nick Hewer begins his quest to save small farms with the Harrisons, who have a 90-acre farm near Greyabbey, on the Ards Peninsula. The Harrisons are planning to invest nearly half a million pounds to turn their small plant nursery into an eighty seat restaurant and farm shop. With three sons eager to inherit they are risking everything. However, Nick is concerned about their lack of retail experience and remote location. Their refusal to open on Sundays is another controversial point.

2012-09-10

Nick Hewer from The Apprentice continues his quest to save small family farms. This time he is on the north coast near Ballycastle with 23-year-old Charlie Cole. Charlie needs to turn his parents' farm into a viable business that can support him and his younger brothers. His plan is to harvest seaweed and raise male goats for meat. Both business ideas seem quirky and whether there is a market for them remains to be discovered. Nick has just eight months to help turn this young dreamer into a hard-nosed businessman.

2012-07-09

Nick's quest to save small farms begins at Brownlee's apple farm, in Co Fermanagh. Can Nick help them add value to their crop? The Brownlees are also sitting on one of the biggest natural water sources in Europe - but should they be selling?.

2012-07-10

Nick travels to a smallholding near Enniskillen. Gordon Fallis is a committed environmentalist but the land management grants he receives are not enough to support his young family. His hobby is brewing beer and Nick comes to help him develop a microbrewery.

2012-07-11

Nick Hewer goes to Tullyveery House which has been owned by the Heron family for over 200 years. The estate's cattle and sheep herds are no longer enough to support the beautiful Georgian house and gardens. Colin's plan is to rent some of the garden for marquee weddings, but Nick wants him to be much more ambitious.

2012-10-08

Nick Hewer is on a mission to help save the small family farm. This time he is in Lisdillon, County Londonderry, helping Mike and Rhonda Nurse as they attempt to set up an equestrian centre and build self-catering accommodation. Nick is pushing them to open in time for the summer season. However, Mike and Rhonda don't seem to feel the same sense of urgency, which causes Nick a lot of frustration.

2012-07-12

Paul Craig came to Arkhill farm looking for the good life but 15 years later his ten acre organic mixed farm is in disrepair. He's lost a supermarket contract for his eggs, the pig and sheep herds are dwindling and his poly tunnels have become a dumping ground. There is hope though, chef Richard Brown has turned the old farm shop into a tearoom and Nick Hewer sees the potential of both businesses working together to create new products.

2012-10-22

Nick Hewer is on a mission to help small farms diversify. This time he is in Newry with Phil Brown, 'Northern Irelands answer to Dr Dolittle.' Phil has an array of pint-sized animals, from pygmy goats, miniature ponies and micro pigs to llamas, alpacas and a baby kangaroo. Phil wants to use his 17-acre site to develop a mobile petting farm. He has a great gift with animals but he needs to take this ability and make it into a viable business. Nick has ambitious plans for Phil, incorporating rebranding, franchising and expansion.