BBC2 orders Wartime Farm series from Lion TV

Archaeologists Alex Langland and Peter Ginn, and domestic historian Ruth Goodman, return to the screens with Wartime Farm (8 x 60 minutes) in mid-to-late 2012.

History and business commissioner Martin Davidson ordered the series alongside channel controller Janice Hadlow.

As with Victorian and Edwardian Farm, the new series will follow the team as they get to grips with a range of challenges from the era, including dealing with evacuees and Land Girls reclaiming land, learning to work with new machinery, and providing enough food to reach strict quotas put in place by the government.

During the war, Britain halved its foreign imports, putting extra pressure on the country’s farms to deliver produce and keep up morale.

Commissioning executive producer for documentaries Emma Willis will oversee the series, alongside David Upshal for Lion.

He said: “We’re really excited to have the challenge of continuing the journey we’ve taken on Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm into a new era. It’s a chance to further explore the lost world of Britain’s rural heritage; a world that has struck a chord with so many people.”

Davidson added: “Britain faced many challenges during World War II, not least how to feed its population. This series is a first-hand look at the toil and effort that went into feeding our nation, and the important role the farmers played in our wartime efforts.”