{{short description|Canadian television show}} {{Infobox television | genre = Documentary | director = {{Unbulleted list|Geoff Morrison|Christina Carvalho|Ryan J. Noth|Victoria Lean|Kathleen Jayme|Stephanie Joline|Alexandra Lazarowich|Maya Annik Bedward|Conor McNally|Maya Bastian}} | narrator = Sarah Treleaven | country = Canada | language = {{Unbulleted list|English (18 episodes)|French (1 episode)}} | num_seasons = 3 | num_episodes = 18 | executive_producer = Geoff Morrison | producer = {{Unbulleted list|Geoff Morrison|Christina Carvalho|Lucy Cameron}} | location = {{Unbulleted list|Victoriaville, QC|Fraser Valley|Vancouver Island|Southern Ontario|Southern Manitoba|Saskatchewan|Alberta|Nova Scotia|Prince Edward Island|Iowa}} | company = Big Cedar Films | network = CBC | first_aired = {{start date|2018|8|17}} }} '''''Farm Crime''''' is a Canadian true crime documentary series which premiered on CBC's online streaming service, CBC Gem, in August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/e6a24110-a18a-11e8-b43a-120e7ad5cf50/|title=What to watch in theatres and online this weekend: August 17–19|last=staff|first=N. O. W.|date=2018-08-16|website=NOW Magazine|language=en-us|access-date=2018-12-19}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Created by Geoff Morrison and produced by Toronto-based production company Big Cedar Films, the series investigates unconventional crimes in the world of farming and agriculture.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tv-eh.com/2018/08/27/season-1-farm-crime/|title=True crime in agriculture and farming is the focus of CBC's excellent, unique Farm Crime {{!}} TV, eh?|website=www.tv-eh.com|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>
The series was one of the first to be commissioned exclusively for the CBC Gem streaming platform, and was reported by CBC to have been the most-streamed original unscripted series over a seven-day period and a twelve-week period when its first season premiered. In December 2020, it was announced that Warner Bros. Unscripted Television optioned the format rights to the show, and that an American version of the show is in development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2020/12/15/warner-bros-unscripted-television-options-cbc-gem-original-farm-crime/|title=Warner Bros. Unscripted Television options CBC Gem original Farm Crime|last=Pinto|first=Jordan|date=2020-12-15|website=Playback|language=en-us|access-date=2021-05-11}}</ref>
Showrunner Geoff Morrison described the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist as the inspiration for the show in a 2023 interview.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.victoriabuzz.com/2023/10/cbc-docu-series-features-two-vancouver-island-based-crimes-in-upcoming-third-season/|title=CBC docu-series features two Vancouver Island-based crimes in upcoming third season|last=Blandy|first=Curtis|date=2023-10-31|website=Victoria Buzz|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref>
== Episodes ==
=== Series overview === The series documents the stories of people who have been victims of agricultural crime. Each 10-25 minute episode examines a different incident, usually a theft, and how it affects the victims both emotionally and financially.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2018/08/20/this-week-in-toronto-the-bentway-celebrates-its-expansion-with-a-block-party.html|title=This week in Toronto: The Bentway celebrates its expansion with a block party {{!}} The Star|website=thestar.com|date=20 August 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> The series also explores the many diverse aspects of the agricultural industry in Canada, with each episode taking place in different provinces across Canada. The first season of the series tackles crimes such as cattle rustling, oyster poaching, livestock theft, and cargo theft.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.producer.com/2018/09/documentary-shows-farm-crime-is-no-joke/|title=Documentary shows farm crime is no joke|last=Simes|first=Jeremy|date=2018-09-06|website=The Western Producer|language=en|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> The second season looks at crop, lobster, and horse theft, elver poaching, and invasive species that threaten agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://povmagazine.com/articles/view/farm-crime-is-truly-canadian-true-crime|title=Farm Crime Is Truly Canadian True Crime|last=Lines|first=Madeline|date=2021-04-04|website=POV Magazine|language=en-us|access-date=2021-05-11}}</ref> The last season of Farm Crime covers timber poaching, agricultural fraud and scams, industry sabotage, and a case that involves the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.streamingrant.com/ca/channels/cbc/watch-farm-crime-season-3-outside-canada-on-cbc-gem/|title=Watch Farm Crime Season 3 outside Canada on CBC Gem|last=Davies|first=Jane|date=2023-10-30|website=Streamingrant|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref>
==== Season 1 (2018) ==== {{Episode table|total_width=68|background=#FFF277|country=Canada|episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=1 |Title=Cattle Cops |DirectedBy=Geoff Morrison |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2018|08|17}} |ShortSummary= RCMP livestock investigators round up a cattle rustler who stole cattle from his employer.<ref>{{cite web|title=FARM CRIME IS HEART HEAVY|url=http://www.ferntv.ca/farm-crimes-is-heart-heavy/|last=Fernandez |first=Fernando |date= November 19, 2018 |website=FERNTV|accessdate=December 19, 2018}}</ref> |LineColor=FFF277 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=2 |Title=Hive Heist |DirectedBy=Ryan J. Noth |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2018|08|17}} |ShortSummary= An investigation into the biggest bee theft in Canadian history, where five million bees are stolen from a family-run apiary in Quebec.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-september-3-2018-1.4806543/sept-3-2018-episode-transcript-1.4809086 |title=The Current Transcript for September 3, 2018|date= September 3, 2018 |website=CBC Radio|accessdate=December 19, 2018}}</ref> |LineColor=FFF277 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=3 |Title=George of Green Gables |DirectedBy=Christina Carvalho |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2018|08|17}} |ShortSummary= A PEI aquaculturist is robbed of oysters while dealing with a family tragedy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-september-3-2018-1.4806543/cbc-doc-series-chronicles-how-farm-crime-hits-vulnerable-family-businesses-1.4796465 |title=CBC doc series chronicles how 'Farm Crime' hits vulnerable family businesses|date= September 3, 2018 |website=CBC Radio|accessdate=December 19, 2018}}</ref> |LineColor=FFF277 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=4 |Title=Pigeon Pincher |DirectedBy=Geoff Morrison |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2018|08|17}} |ShortSummary=After 300 fancy pigeons are stolen from a pigeon fancier in Abbotsford, BC, the theft is suspected to be connected to a rash of livestock thefts in the Fraser Valley.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.producer.com/2018/09/documentary-shows-farm-crime-is-no-joke/|title=Documentary shows farm crime is no joke|last=Simes|first=Jeremy|date=2018-09-06|website=The Western Producer|language=en|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> |LineColor=FFF277 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=5 |Title=Black Market Butcher |DirectedBy=Victoria Lean |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2018|08|17}} |ShortSummary= Free-range farmers in Nova Scotia are victim to a thief who butchered animals on their property.<ref name=":2"/> |LineColor=FFF277 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=6 |Title=#BlueberryBandit |DirectedBy=Geoff Morrison |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2018|08|17}} |ShortSummary= $100,000 worth of blueberries are stolen from a transport yard in Hamilton, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/farm-crime-blueberry-bandit-1.4791050|title=CBC documentary looks into case of $100K worth in stolen blueberries from Hamilton|date= August 19, 2018 |website=CBC News|accessdate=December 19, 2018}}</ref> |LineColor=FFF277 }}|airdate=|airdateR=|director=|season=|title=}}
==== Season 2 (2021) ==== {{Episode table|total_width=77|background=#D67E6B|country=Canada|episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=1 |Title=Invasion of the Murder Hornets |DirectedBy=Kathleen Jayme |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|04|01}} |ShortSummary= Dedicated beekeepers in British Columbia discover the first "murder hornet" nest in North America, and wage war against the honeybee's deadliest natural predator.<ref>{{cite web|title=This man was stung seven times by murder hornets while trying to save Vancouver Island's honeybees|url=https://www.cbc.ca/television/this-man-was-stung-seven-times-by-murder-hornets-while-trying-to-save-vancouver-island-s-honeybees-1.5971560|last=Dart |first=Chris |date= March 31, 2021 |website=CBC|accessdate=May 11, 2021}}</ref> |LineColor=D67E6B }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=2 |Title=The Million Dollar Baby Eel Deal |DirectedBy=Stephanie Joline |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|04|01}} |ShortSummary= After hundreds of kilograms of baby eels turn up on the black market, fisheries officers launch a sting operation to break up the trafficking ring.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|title=Farm Crime Season 2 Streaming on CBC Gem April 1|url=https://www.farms.com/news/farm-crime-season-2-streaming-on-cbc-gem-april-1-165931.aspx|date= March 19, 2021 |website=Farms.com|accessdate=May 11, 2021}}</ref> |LineColor=D67E6B }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=3 |Title=Missing Mare |DirectedBy=Alexandra Lazarowich |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|04|01}} |ShortSummary= Struck by illness, an Ontario woman entrusts the care of her beloved horses to another horse owner, but when she goes to retrieve the animals, they're nowhere to be found.<ref>{{cite web|title='Farm Crime': From Stolen Livestock to Bees and Blueberries|url=https://horse-canada.com/horse-news/farm-crime-from-stolen-livestock-bees-blueberries/|last=Izzo |first=Kim |date= April 14, 2021 |website=Horse Canada|accessdate=May 11, 2021}}</ref> |LineColor=D67E6B }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=4 |Title=Canola Caper |DirectedBy=Maya Annik Bedward |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|04|01}} |ShortSummary=A determined mountie and innovative grain scientist team up to investigate a string of suspicious canola sales, and build a case against a notorious suspect.<ref>{{cite web|title=CBC Gem series 'Farm Crime' features an intrepid Killarney cop|url=http://killarneyguide.ca/2021/04/01/hot-cbc-gem-series-farm-crime-features-an-intrepid-killarney-cop/|last=Langen |first=Kim |date= April 1, 2021 |website=The Killarney Guide|accessdate=May 11, 2021}}</ref> |LineColor=D67E6B }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=5 |Title=The Lobster Looting at Long Cove |DirectedBy=Geoff Morrison |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|04|01}} |ShortSummary= While a Nova Scotia lobster fisherman rings in the New Year, thieves make him the next victim in a growing rash of lobster thefts.<ref name=":3"/> |LineColor=D67E6B }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=6 |Title=My Father's Horses |DirectedBy=Conor McNally |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|04|01}} |ShortSummary= When a Nakoda Elder discovers three of his beloved paint horses missing, he turns to his daughter, who has her own unique connection to the animals, for help.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local director saddles up with Farm Crime's search for three missing horses|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/business/local-director-saddles-up-with-farm-crimes-search-for-three-missing-horses|last= Griwkowsky |first=Fish |date= March 30, 2021 |website=Edmonton Journal|accessdate=May 11, 2021}}</ref> |LineColor=D67E6B }}|airdate=|airdateR=|director=|season=|title=}}
==== Season 3 (2023) ==== {{Episode table|total_width=77|background=#AEE288|country=Canada|episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=1 |Title=The Cedar Culprit |DirectedBy=Conor McNally |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2023|11|03}} |ShortSummary= When Guardians from the Wei Wai Kum First Nation discover evidence of timber poaching in their territory, they sound the alarm to protect the remaining old growth and bring the poachers to justice.<ref>{{cite web|title=When a poacher made off with cedar trees from Wei Wai Kum territory the thief took more than just timber|url=https://www.windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/when-poacher-made-cedar-trees-wei-wai-kum-territory-thief-took-more-just|last=St.Pierre |first=Crystal |date= October 31, 2023 |website=Windspeaker.com|accessdate=September 19, 2024}}</ref> |LineColor=AEE288 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=2 |Title=Pigeon Ponzi |DirectedBy=Maya Annik Bedward |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2023|11|03}} |ShortSummary= An entrepreneurial farmer known as the Pigeon King comes up with a proposal for farmers to make money by breeding pigeons, but investigative journalists suspect his deal may be too good to be true. |LineColor=AEE288 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=3 |Title=Fate of the Feral Rabbits |DirectedBy=Kathleen Jayme |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2023|11|03}} |ShortSummary= An infamous colony of rescued rabbits from the University of Victoria face execution after they escape from their sanctuary onto a nearby farm, putting themselves and the farmer in the crosshairs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vancouver Island featured in CBC docuseries on rural crime|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/vancouver-island-featured-in-cbc-docuseries-on-rural-crime-7777835|last=Devlin |first=Mike |date= November 3, 2023 |website=Times Colonist|accessdate=September 19, 2024}}</ref> |LineColor=AEE288 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=4 |Title=The Farmer & the Fraudster |DirectedBy=Alexandra Lazarowich |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2023|11|03}} |ShortSummary=Following a string of bad cheques across Alberta and Saskatchewan, an RCMP Livestock Investigator must pin down a prolific fraudster and deliver justice to the farmers who were deceived. |LineColor=AEE288 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=5 |Title=Sabotaged Spuds from the Bright Red Mud |DirectedBy=Stephanie Joline |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2023|11|03}} |ShortSummary=When sewing needles start turning up in world-famous Prince Edward Island potatoes, the island’s farmers, industry leaders and RCMP race to catch the culprits before they strike again. |LineColor=AEE288 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=6 |Title=Shropshire Sheep Scandal |DirectedBy=Maya Bastian |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2023|11|03}} |ShortSummary=Ontario shepherd Montana Jones fights to protect her flock of rare Shropshire sheep from a government agency that alleges the animals are diseased– until the sheep mysteriously vanish in the night. |LineColor=AEE288 }}|airdate=|airdateR=|director=|season=|title=}}
== Reception == The show has been praised for looking at the crimes with intelligence and respect. At the end of 2018, ''Farm Crime'' was named as one of the “25 most binge-worthy TV shows of 2018” by NOW Magazine.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/the-25-most-binge-worthy-tv-shows-of-2018/|last=staff|first=N.O.W.|date= December 5, 2018 |website=Now Magazine|accessdate=December 19, 2018|title=The 25 most binge-worthy TV shows of 2018}}</ref> It also received positive reviews from Canadian entertainment websites, and was cited for its unique spin on the true crime genre.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://povmagazine.com/blog/view/now-streaming-farm-crime|title=Now Streaming: 'Farm Crime' – Point of View Magazine|website=povmagazine.com|access-date=2018-12-19|archive-date=2018-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230627/http://povmagazine.com/blog/view/now-streaming-farm-crime|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Awards and nominations === The first season of Farm Crime was nominated for the Best Web Program or Series in Non-Fiction under the Digital Media category at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.academy.ca/2019/farm-crime/|title=Farm Crime|date=2019|website=Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television|language=en-us|access-date=2021-05-12}}</ref> The first season was also nominated for Best Web Non-Fiction Series at the Banff World Media Festival in the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rockies.playbackonline.ca/Winners/Winner/2019|title=Rockie Awards International Program Competition|date=2019|website=Banff World Media Festival|language=en-us|access-date=2021-05-12}}</ref> At the T.O. Webfest in 2019, the series was nominated for the IWCC Canadian Spotlight and Best Cinematography awards, and won the Best Canadian Series and Best Documentary Series awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2019/07/15/terreur-404-farm-crime-detention-adventure-earn-t-o-webfest-prizes/|title=Terreur 404, Farm Crime among T.O. WebFest winners|last=Malyk|first=Lauren|date=2019-07-15|website=Playback|language=en-us|access-date=2021-05-12}}</ref>
The second season of Farm Crime won the Best Web Program or Series, Non-Fiction award in the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards, and director and writer Kathleen Jayme was nominated for the Best Writing, Web Program or Series award for Invasion of the Murder Hornets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://povmagazine.com/2022-canadian-screen-award-nominees-for-documentary/|title=2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees for Documentary|last=Mullen|first=Pat|date=2022-02-15|website=POV Magazine|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/cbc-radio-canada-celebrates-52-wins-at-the-2022-canadian-screen-awards|title=CBC/RADIO-CANADA CELEBRATES 52 WINS AT THE 2022 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS|date=2022-04-10|website=CBC Media Centre|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref> In the 2022 T.O. Webfest, it was nominated for best documentary series, best editing and best cinematography, and won the award for best original score.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://towebfest.ca/2022-winners/|title=2022 Winners|website=T.O. Webfest|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://towebfest.ca/award-nominees-2022/|title=Award Nominees 2022|website=T.O. Webfest|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref>
The third season of ''Farm Crime'' was nominated for the Best Web Program or Series, Non-Fiction award in the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, and director and writer Maya Annik Bedward was nominated for the Best Direction, Web Program or Series award for Pigeon Ponzi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://povmagazine.com/canadian-screen-award-nominees-in-digital-and-factual-categories/|title=Canadian Screen Award Nominees in Documentary and Factual Categories|last=Mullen|first=Pat|date=March 6, 2024|website=Point of View|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-19}}</ref> In the 2024 T.O. Webfest, season three was nominated for best English Canadian series and won the genre award for best documentary series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://towebfest.ca/2024-nominees/|title=2024 Nominees & Winners|website=T.O. Webfest|language=en-us|access-date=2024-09-20}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|9279688|Farm Crime}} * {{official website|https://www.cbc.ca/farmcrime}}
Category:CBC Gem original programming Category:2010s Canadian documentary television series Category:2018 Canadian television series debuts Category:Canadian non-fiction web series Category:Canadian Screen Award winning digital content