A YEAR and a half after finding love on reality television series Farmer Wants a Wife, Will Simpson and Jess Cova are happy their whirlwind adventure has somewhat slowed down.
“Life has been pretty good together since Farmer has finished,” Will said.
“Things have calmed down for us now and we are finding some normality.”
The transition to farm life has been almost seamless for Jess, who grew up on acreage in a small country town, with horses and motorbikes.
“The biggest transition has been going from hilly green country to flat dry paddocks,” she said, adding her biggest challenge was being away from family and friends.
Revelling the opportunity to develop their relationship in a normal setting, the duo has been busy behind the scenes, juggling farm life, home-improvement projects, sporting and university commitments.
The much-loved couple recently signed up as ambassadors for the Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed.
The two-day event showcases the latest in farming technology and innovation and is a major fundraiser for the Speed Lions Club, which redistributes the funds to a number of charities, schools, hospitals and other worthwhile projects.
Will has grown up with the field days in his backyard and has been a long-time supporter of the event.
His mum had a site at the field days for many years, and he admits he may have “even walked down the catwalk in a fashion parade one year”.
“When I was younger the food and freebies were the main drawcard, but now it’s the machinery that catches my eye,” he said.
“I love being able to walk around and look at all the sites with other farmers, it’s great having everything all in the same space to compare. I also enjoy putting a long shopping list together every year after the field days and presenting it to Dad with extensive reasoning as to why I need all of these new things … to which he replies ‘keep dreaming’.
Looking forward to attending this year’s event, Will and Jess are encouraging the wider community to ‘Get up to Speed’ in what will mark the event’s largest display of agricultural machinery, following an extension of the outer ring to meet growing demand from exhibitors.
“I believe it’s a great opportunity to not only see some of the best new machinery and practices in person, but to also develop a personal relationship with retailers, dealers and representatives,” Will said.
“It’s always great to catch up with other farmers and discuss each bit of machinery we walk past.”
The Mallee Machinery Field Days will take place on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
