Joe Seels is a beef and arable farmer turned YouTuber whose channel amasses over one million views per month. He’ll be sharing the behind the scenes of this year’s Great Yorkshire Show as they turn to YouTube for the first time.
Something in Yorkshire that makes you smile
Seeing the first shoots of a crop coming through the soil or calves out in the field on a sunny spring morning—simple, satisfying moments that make the long hours worthwhile.
A place you love to eat
Day-to-day I’m usually grabbing dinner on the go in the tractor, or we’re out as a family at Pizza Hut—because that’s what the kids love! But when there’s time for a proper meal, I really enjoy going to Farmer Copleys. The food’s top quality, it’s local, and they really understand what goes into producing great food.
A place to take friends
A walk around the farm followed by a proper cuppa in the yard. There’s something special about showing people where their food comes from—it often surprises them just how much is involved.
When we moved to our current farm in 2002, my Grandad Len—my mum’s dad—helped us build it. He was a joiner by trade and did everything from marking out the site to fitting roof sheets and doing the house joinery. My brother and I were his helpers—we were in our early teens—and we learnt a lot from him. That time together was full of bonding and life lessons. He even built us wooden go-karts out of old pram wheels, and we used to race them down the grassy hill at Brodsworth Hall. So many happy memories with him.
A cultural go-to
I’m more likely to be watching YouTube videos about precision farming than heading to a gallery, but I always make time for the Great Yorkshire Show. It’s a proper celebration of agriculture, local produce, and Yorkshire pride.
READ MORE: 9 things not to miss at the 2025 Great Yorkshire Show
Inspiration outdoors
There’s something about an early morning on the farm when the mist is lifting and the sun’s just starting to warm the ground. The sound of birds, the stillness—it reminds me how lucky I am to work in nature every day. It clears your head and sets the tone for everything that follows.
A place for indulgence
It might not be indulgence in the usual sense, but for me, it’s sitting on the front weight block of the tractor with my dinner. No phone, no noise—just the peace of the fields and a chance to stop for five minutes. That stillness feels like a real luxury in a busy day.
Hoober Stand. You can see it from our farm, and as a kid I was always fascinated by it. It’s a proper Yorkshire landmark—steeped in history and part of the view I’ve grown up with. It reminds me of home and how deep your roots can go in a place.
I’m never happier than when . . .
The jobs are done, the cows are fed, and the kids are playing happily. That’s when I can take a deep breath and just feel content.
Sum up Yorkshire in three words
Grit, pride, beauty.
