It was the feel good show that helped isolated Aussie farmers find a wife.
Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski, the show ran on and off for nine seasons between 2007 and 2016 and boasts some of the best success stories known to local reality TV!
In 2020, we finally got the reboot we’d all been waiting for – Channel Seven revived the show with five hopeful farmers looking for love.
The season wasn’t um, quite as successful as we’d hoped in the love department, but it sure did make some good television.
Then came 2021’s brand new season, giving us one happy couple, and a bub for a second farmer.
2022 brought two more happily-ever-afters, 2023 saw four of the five couples end the show together and now 2024 promises even more love!
But all this new Farmer goss has us wondering: Where exactly did all the old farmers and city girls end up?
Well, we have good news – the show has enjoyed a much better strike rate than rival Married At First Sight.
Throughout the course of the series, Farmer Wants A Wife has resulted in nine marriages, an additional five couples living together and a staggering 25 farmer babies!
We check in with your favourite key players and see what they’re up to now…
Season 1 (2007) – Chris Newsome and Kim Tierney
True love was found right from the very beginning of Farmer Wants A Wife in 2007. Chris Newsome and Kim Tierney met on the show and were the first couple to marry, with their wedding being filmed for season two. The couple now have a son and daughter together.
Season 2 (2008) – Rob Hodges and Jo Fincham
Beef and sheep farmer Rob Hodges, from Mount Gambier, stole the heart of city girl Jo Fincham in season two, and the couple has since tied the knot. The married couple have three kids – two girls and a boy.
‘”We we very lucky,” Jo told Adelaide Now in 2022 interview of the ”instant chemistry” the pair shared on a speed date.
”We could have chatted for ages and (our relationship) unravelled very naturally.”
Season 3 (2009) Damian Atkins and Rachael Peynenborg
In 2009, season three’s Damian Atkins and Rachael Peynenborg hit it off immediately and have been going strong ever since. A fairytale ending ensued after meeting on the show and they’re now married with three kids.
Season 4 (2009) – Scott Warby & Clare Spark
After filming wrapped, farmer Scott Warby and Clare Spark continued to date long distance. The Brisbane girl and sheep and crop farmer met up every other weekend and Scott proposed to Clare nine months later. Nowadays, the married couple live at their Mungindi property and have two children.
Speaking to TV WEEK in 2020, Clare, now 36, revealed: “Appearing on Farmer Wants A Wife worked out very well for us.” But although they’ve been married for a decade and have two children – Elsie and Fraser – romance still blooms.
“Scott is very romantic,” Claire revealed. “He always brings me wildflowers from the paddock and takes me on little getaways.” Meanwhile, Scott, now 40, said Clare doesn’t skimp on romantic gestures either.
“She surprised me with a new golf buggy recently,” he told TV WEEK.
As for the children, Clare says Elsie is aware of how her mum and dad met. “She’s watched the show and was a little confused as to why we were on TV,” Clare said. “She thinks it’s hilarious though too.”
Season 4 (2009) – Brad Crane & Stacie Marmion
Season four proved to be quite successful in the love department! Lithgow cattle farmer Brad Crane admits he only went on the show for a bit of fun – and couldn’t believe he ended up meeting his now wife Stacie Marmion! Brad proposed to Stacie after six months of dating. The married couple now have three gorgeous girls – Darcie, Bobbie, and Frankie.
Season 5 (2010) – Nathan McClymont and Amanda Ecker
Talk about a whirlwind romance! Farmer Nathan McClymont met Amanda Ecker in season five in 2010 – and proposed in the finale! She said yes and they now have three children together, Mason, Benjamin and Oscar.
Season 7 (2011) – Frank Atherton & Tenille Jolly
It all started with a five-minute speed date for farmer Frank Atherton and Perth office girl Tenille Jolly. From that moment on, sparks flew between the pair, who ended up becoming a love match on the show. Fast forward two years on Valentine’s Day, when grazier Frank proposed on his Hughenden property, and the pair are now married with one child, Oliver.
Season 8 (2012) – Sam Alford & Jodie Byrne
Season eight of Farmer Wants A Wife certainly had a happy ending. Cattleman and musterer Farmer Sam Alford won over Sydney-based travel agent Jodie Byrne on the show. Just three months after the show ended, Jodie made the decision to relocate to Sam’s WA property and he proposed over the 2012 Christmas break. The couple married at the beginning of 2015 and welcomed baby River in 2018.
Season 11 (2021) – Andrew Guthrie & Jess Nathan
Over the course of season 11, Jess and Andrew declared their love for each other in the finale.
In November 2021, Jess announced the pair were finally moving in together after doing long distance for 11 months.
“After exactly 11 months of long-distance and a million lockdowns later, today has finally arrived. So excited to start this next chapter with my love, starting with a big ol’ house reno on our brand spankin’ new property! (Well, new to us),” she wrote on Instagram.
In August 2023, the pair took to Instagram to share the news of their engagement.
“Farmer Wants A Wife,” they captioned the adorable picture.
Season 11 (2021) – Hayley Love
Thus far, the show had been a wholesome affair, but in 2021 it saw its first MAFS-worthy scandal. Hayley was one of Farmer Matt Terwin’s girls before she was sent home and began a relationship with Farmer Will Dwyer. Fans were shocked when Hayley later announced she was 22 weeks pregnant with Will’s child.
In a statement to News.com.au, she clarified, “I started my relationship with Farmer Will in December before the reunion episode was filmed a few weeks later in January. He told me he wasn’t with Jaimee, and Jaimee was in contact with me before the reunion.”
Soon after her genuinely shocking reveal, Farmer Will responded to the claims with a statement speculating if the baby was his by sharing on Instagram, “If this is in fact my child, I’ll be there whenever the child needs me. Even if, as parents, we can’t be a couple, our family will be filled with love for our child.” On December 7 at 10:03 pm, the blonde beauty gave birth to a sweet girl named Daisy.
Season 12 (2022) – Will Simpson and Jess Cova
After declaring his love for Jess in the finale episode, Farmer Will revealed during the finale that he and Jess ”haven’t spent a day apart.”
”Since the final decision, we’ve really ran with it,” he said, revealing that Jess moved to the farm in Berriwillock, Victoria and ”hasn’t left yet.”
”I think our relationship is just blossoming as each day goes by,” Jess said. The former city girl has even joined the local netball team, taken up a nursing job AND bar job at the local pub, in addition to her studies and is loving country life.
In March 2024, the couple celebrated their two-year anniversary – and they’re still going strong!
Season 12 (2022) – Harry and Tess
Another couple who found love on the 2022 season, Farmer Harry and Tess are still going strong almost two years later!
The couple initially relocated to Airlie Beach while Tess finished off her psychology degree and have now made the big move back to the country.
Season 12 (2022) – Benjamin and Hannah
Farmer Benjamin surprised everyone when he confirmed his relationship with Hannah back in June 2023.
The farmer, who left the show early amidst family health concerns took to Instagram to share a picture of the cute couple.
Hannah, who was one of the women competing for Benjamin’s heart on the show, looked every bit loved up as she posed for the picture alongside the farmer.
Despite keeping their love life out of the public eye, they do occasionally share birthday or anniversary tributes to each other!
Season 12 (2023) – Claire and Andrew
It’s clear Farmer Andrew and Claire have found something special together. The couple, who found each other on the 2023 season of Farmer Wants a Wife Australia were so sure of their strong connection, they left the show early.
In the months that have followed, the pair kept fans up to date on life after the show, with Claire settling into farm life and even showing Andrew around her own old stomping grounds – and now the couple have announced their engagement!