Countryfile legend John Craven has opened up about "difficulties" he faced filming the TV series.
Mr Craven, 85, has presented the popular BBC rural affairs show for 37 years, having started in 1989.
Prior to that, he had a 17-year stint on Newsround, having launched it on the BBC in 1972.
Away from TV, Mr Craven lives in a village near Banbury with his wife, where the couple brought up two daughters.
In a recent interview with Farmers' Guardian, Mr Craven opens up about the difficulties of filming in the early days of Countryfile.
He said: "In the very early days of Countryfile, it was very difficult to get cameras onto farms and to get farmers to speak to us.
"It took a long time to win farmers over and let them open the gates of the farm and let us in."
Farmers are now more open and willing to share their experiences, he said, but warned there remains significant questions over balancing food production with environmental goals.
"We need to up the amount of food that is produced in this country," he said.
"The balance between environmental concern and the need to produce more food, that is the big issue that faces the country today."
Mr Craven was at the recent Farm Fest in Warwickshire, fronted by Chipping Norton farmer Jeremy Clarkson.
The journalist took to the stage to give a talk on farmers while at the festival.
