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Hannah Jackson, whose two main passions in life are animals and adventures, is a passionate figure in British agriculture. Originally from a non-farming background in the Wirral, she has transformed herself into one of the country’s most recognised young farmers, embracing life in the rugged hills of Cumbria.
With her striking red hair and unstoppable determination, Hannah has not only built a successful career in farming—managing her own flocks of pedigree Hampshire Downs and North of England Mules—but also become an inspiring advocate for the future of rural life.
In 2019, she completed the selection process for the television show SAS: Who Dares Wins. Surviving in the arctic conditions of the Chilean Andes, Hannah was the first intake which included female recruits and was one of the only two females to compete. She thrives on the extreme challenges and the ability to test her physical and mental strength.
Hannah has appeared on Emma and AJ Get to Work, Countryfile, Country Showdown, Inside Out, along with various other shows across the channels.
Hannah Jackson grew up on the Wirral in Merseyside, far removed from the traditional world of farming. Initially pursuing a degree in animal behaviour at university, she discovered a deep connection with agriculture during a lambing season work placement, where the hands-on experience with livestock ignited her passion for farming.
Inspired by the lambing season work placement , she took the bold step of leaving her urban roots behind to immerse herself in the rural life of Cumbria, where she started her journey as a contract shepherdess. Facing the challenges of being a newcomer to farming with grit and determination, Hannah quickly made a name for herself in the agricultural community.
As a farmer, Hannah’s love of wildlife has seen her complete a number of projects including contributing to a Killer Whale research project for Orca Lab, where she lived for weeks on a cliff in British Columbia in a tent with no running water or electricity whilst observing the impact of tourism on whale’s behaviour.
Thanks to her passion and determination to do well, she was a finalist in the 2018 Young Farmer of the Year. She is a huge advocate for respectful farming and uses her position to promote positive change with farming, rearing animals, and reconnecting consumers with where their food comes from.

As well as her appearance on SAS: Who Dares Wins, Hannah makes regular appearances on television and radio, on shows such as Countryfile, Farmer Country Showdown, BBC1 Inside Out documentary on her journey into farming, and ITV news. She has also featured on BBC Scotland, BBC Radio 5, BBC Cumbria, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Merseyside.
In 2021, Hannah Jackson published her memoir, Call Me Red: A Shepherd’s Journey, offering an inspiring account of her transformation from a city dweller on the Wirral to a respected shepherdess in Cumbria. The book delves into her experiences breaking into the male-dominated farming industry, the physical and mental challenges she faced, and the values she embraced, such as community, leadership, patience, and resilience.
Beyond her writing, Hannah has shared her journey and insights on various podcasts. She appeared on the Live On Form podcast, discussing her path to becoming the Red Shepherdess and the resilience required in her profession. In the Farmers Guardian podcast, she spoke about balancing her growing family with her farming responsibilities. Additionally, she was featured in the Women in Agriculture podcast series, offering advice to new entrants in the farming industry and sharing her personal story of transitioning from a marine biology student to a shepherdess

As a speaker, Hannah has delivered talks at prominent events, including the Great Yorkshire Show, where she engaged with young audiences about careers in agriculture. Through Natural Leaders, she collaborates with corporate clients, using sheepdog herding as a metaphor for leadership and team dynamics.
Her journey from novice to expert shepherdess has captivated the public and challenged stereotypes about what it means to work in agriculture today. As a speaker, media personality, and entrepreneur, Hannah combines her love of the land with a powerful voice for resilience, mental health, and female empowerment, making her a sought-after speaker for both agricultural and corporate audiences alike.
– Breaking Stereotypes
– Farming and Food
– Motherhood doesn’t mean losing ‘you’
– Living outside your comfort zone
– Leadership – learning from Nature, nothing like farming to teach you crisis management, resilience etc.
– Education – how we stop failing our children
– Managing and surviving social media – impact on kids etc.
Previous Talks
– MDS Anniversary Dinner
– LANTRA Albas Awards
– Christmas Tree Judge for Downing Street
– GSA Annual Conference
– Benenden School Talk
Hannah plays a significant role in promoting British agriculture and advocating for safety and inclusivity within the farming industry. As a National Sheep Association (NSA) Next Generation Ambassador, she actively encourages young people to consider careers in agriculture, sharing her journey from a non-farming background to becoming a respected contract shepherdess. Her involvement with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) includes participation in the Farmvention Programme, which aims to engage school pupils with food production and farming practices.