“They’re not being put together by producers, when they’re obviously polar opposites”

In the four years since it was revived by Seven, Farmer Wants a Wife has grown into one of the network’s biggest reality success stories.

Last year the show as up 16% on the previous seasons and in the 12 months it has been off air, the show has seen Farmer Brad and Claire from season 13 welcome a baby, plus engagements for Andrew and Jess from season 11 and David and Emily from season 13.

Viewers are seemingly drawn to the authenticity of the brand.

“I think part of the success of this is that we’re not flying blind,” says host Sam Armytage.

“The farmers are cast and then their profiles are put online so the girls apply to meet the farmers so there’s a level of attraction. So as far as any current reality show can mirror actual real life that’s about as much as you can do in the groundwork to get these people together.

“The rest is up to them. They have to make it work once they all meet each other.

“But I think part of the success of the show is that there is an initial interest and attraction to begin with. They’re not being put together by producers, when they’re obviously polar opposites, like some other shows we won’t name which is good for drama, but not for love!”

“It’s not generally people looking for their 15 minutes of fame”

Once again there is no shortage of women wanting to meet five country blokes and potentially relocate to the bush.

“It’s usually city girls who want to move to the country, it’s a very personal choice. That’s the authenticity in the show. It’s actually people who want to be there. It’s not generally people looking for their 15 minutes of fame,” she continues.

“Normally at the beginning of the season, there’s eight girls for each farmer, so about 40, and then they have to pick 5 from that.

“It’s a big room of energy because 40 women and 5 men, it’s quite exciting. But it’s always just such a great feeling.

“We shoot in Hope Estate in Pokolbin, and the ‘Barrel Room’ is the perfect room for this sort of experience because it’s big enough to contain everyone but still quite romantic. It’s pretty much the same format as the last couple of years although there are a few surprises.

“At Season 14 how do you keep a show fresh?”

“At Season 14 how do you keep a show fresh, because viewers have seen it all before? So there are there is a bit of a freshen up this year.”

Indeed Armytage declines to reveal just what goes down this season.

“There is definitely some stuff that’s coming this year that’s never been done before. Actually, quite a few things that have never been done before, and situations that come up. As I say, with this different generation of young people who now are more assertive and they know what they want, they are more likely to put it out there and ask for it. In life and choosing love.

“So we, the producers and I, had to go with the flow a little bit. There were some things that sort of happened on set that we go ‘Okay. All right. Well, let’s roll with that.’

“So it’s quite interesting and fun and quite good for me from a perspective of coming from a journalism background and Live TV, where you never know what’s about to happen.”

Of course, Armytage has also dabbled in Reality TV before with 2014’s short-lived weight loss show, Bringing Sexy Back.

“It’s a world away from Bringing Sexy Back!” she laughs. “I forgot about Bringing Sexy Back -that was just a whole different kettle of fish. This is a really professional, slick operation. They’ve been doing it for so long now, it’s a great brand. I am amazed by how many people love it, and really genuinely look forward to it. I’m quite proud to be associated with it.”

This year’s Farmers, drawn from NSW, Queensland and Victoria, include a pineapple and dragon fruit farmer, a cattle and sheep farmer, and a cattle and watermelon farmer.

“I can’t pick my favourite farmer. They’re all gorgeous and they’re all wonderful and some of them are very funny and very cheeky.

“But Joe and Bert are unbelievably good looking. I very, very proud of this year’s lot of farmers… there’s somebody in there for everyone. Tom’s a bit quieter, bit more introverted. Dean’s the real joker and Dustin’s from Condobolin, so that is a long way away,” she continues.

“You do rely heavily on the personalities and my goodness, there’s some glamorous girls this year. These boys are just blown away. There are some knockout girls. So every year I think ‘My goodness, the girls just get more and more accomplished and more and more glamorous.’ Also there’s a generational change. The youngest farmer is 22, but we’ve got farmers up to 33.”

“It’s harder to get the men to the table to do it”

In a show that relies heavily on its casting, Armytage acknowledges finding the single men is far more challenging than a plentiful supply of single ladies willing to step up.

“I think it’s harder to get the men to the table to do it, but it’s okay because that means they’re more genuine about it. They’re really thinking seriously about it, whether they want to do this on television. What I can see in the last few years is that it’s often the sisters or the mothers of the farmers to put them forward, because they want them to meet someone finally,” she explains.

“I know last season we had about 30 farmers apply and then the network picks five to proceed with. So you’ve still quite a few people applying.

“The ladies that apply to meet the farmers is in the thousands. It is amazing how many women want to be on this show. This is what I say to people whenever we have critics of the show. These women want to meet a farmer. If they’re there for the wrong reasons, the farmers usually work that out and send them on their way. I think the farmers are pretty good at detecting the genuine ones.

“But it’s extraordinary how many women want to put themselves out there like this to find love.”

Farmer Wants a Wife screens 7:30pm Sunday – Tuesday on Seven from April 14.