The second episode of Farmer Wants A Wife 2026 certainly hit the ground running.
I have been covering this show for the better part of a decade and am well-versed in its lore and parlance. This popular reality show, responsible for 11 marriages and 27 children, is later than usual this year, but let’s hope the 2026 season of FWAW was worth the wait!
In case you missed it, read on for a full recap of episode two! But beware, SPOILERS ahead!
Episode 2
Picking up right where episode one left off, it started with Farmer Jarrad and Farmer Zac going on their speed dates.
Within the first five minutes, I wasn’t too impressed by Farmer Jarrad. He told producers that he’s been single for the last two years and that “it’s been good”. Why is he on FWAW if he’s
enjoying singledom?!
Of course, Jarrad quickly backtracked and said the comment was a joke. But then he boldly claimed, “I’ve got a lot to offer… I’m a total catch.”
Yes, he said this was a joke too, but these comments seem like little red flags to me. I did have to tell myself at this point of the episode to try to keep an open mind. So I will give Jarrad a chance and hope I come to like him this season.
Although I didn’t like Farmer Sam from the very first episode of the 2021 Farmer Wants A Wife season… We all know what kind of person he turned out to be…
Moving on to the speed dates. And talk about speed dates! In episode one, the dates didn’t feel too rushed, whereas in this episode, they flew by. The editors obviously wanted to get cracking with the 24-hour dates (where each farmer brings one woman to the farm 24 hours before the rest arrive).
Farmer Zac met Maya, Mieke, Jessica and Jess before Miranda entered the scene. Looking flash in a cherry red dress, she certainly made an impression on Zac (and got the most air time of Zac’s ladies).
“Definitely punching above my weight,” the apple farmer confessed to producers after meeting her. There was no beating around the bush with Miranda; she immediately told Zac she wanted children. She also gifted him a patch of lawn in the shape of a heart (her family are “lawn farmers”).
Zac met Grace next who is an environmental scientist, surprisingly not a journalist; she spent the majority of their speed date asking him questions like “green or red apple?” But Zac clearly didn’t feel like he had been interrogated, telling producers that his date with Grace was “great”.
As for Jarrad, his speed date with Carly was short and sweet, but sweet indeed. Definitely some chemistry there. The episode then raced through Jarrad’s time with Georgia, who spent the speed date making
a balloon animal, and Hannah, who did a chicken impersonation. Yes, really.
Cara was up next, and their speed date consisted of Jarrad confessing that her application to the show concerned him because she seemed really “career focused”. She assured him that she’s “ready to get out of the office”. Potentially another red flag for me; how dare a woman be career-focused?
By the halfway mark, it was time for Zac and Jarrad to choose which ladies to bring back to their respective farms (and which ladies to eliminate).
Zac chose Grace first, and Miranda was obviously miffed that she wasn’t picked first. I think she’ll get the villain edit this season; there’s always one poor girl who ends up painted as an antagonist. Stay tuned on that front.
Jessica, Maya, Miranda and Mieke were also asked to come back to the farm, meaning poor Chelsea, Holly and Jess were sent home.
As for Jarrad, he invited Carly, Yvonne, Georgia, Brodie and Cara back to his farm. Hannah, Kristy and Kyiah were eliminated.
Which ladies go on the 24-hour date?
Beloved host Natalie Gruzlewski then asked the Farmers to select one lady each for the coveted 24-hour date. Zac chose Grace. And at this stage, I knew that Miranda’s definitely getting the villain edit this season. The camera zoomed in on her, looking disappointed when she wasn’t picked (but in her defence, most people would look disappointed after not being chosen for something).
Jarrad chose Carly, Jason chose Beth, and Alex chose Eddy, keeping the wager they made during their cute game of golf in episode one.
As for Farmer Dylan, he, to my (and everyone’s) shock, did not choose Renae. Instead, he invited “wild card” – his words, not mine – Ally, who even told producers herself, “I thought Dylan was going to pick Renae.”
And before I knew it, the 24 hour dates for 2026 commenced. This season isn’t wasting any time, that’s for sure.
From meeting grandparents and seeing the farmer’s apples, what happens on the 24-hour dates?
Dylan started his date by introducing Ally to his best mate… whose name is Billy Bob. Oh, and he’s a horse. The two then went for a ride on Billy Bob, and Dylan was very impressed that, despite not being a horse rider, Ally was more than willing to give it a go. I hate to admit it because I was firmly Team Renae after episode one, but sparks flew between Dylan and Ally.
Alex had a less romantic activity for Eddy: an up-close look at a mushroom greenhouse.
He’s clearly smitten, though; he told producers, “She’s got the most phenomenal eyes. I can’t look at her for more than three seconds before I [looks down, smiles and blushes].” So sweet!
Zac then showed off his apples to Grace. Thankfully, that’s not a euphemism. He’s an apple farmer, and the two walked through the orchard.
It sounds like a lovely activity for an afternoon date, but Grace wasn’t too sure there was a romantic connection.
“It’s feeling a little bit bros at the moment,” she told producers.
Up next in episode two was Dylan taking Ally to meet his grandparents. Yes, you read that correctly. I literally said out loud to the TV, “Isn’t it a little soon to meet the grandparents?!”
And it wasn’t a casual encounter either; there was some definite grilling. “What made you want to come on Farmer Wants A Wife?” and “What attracted you to Dylan?” were just some of the questions Nana Kay asked Ally.
Back on Zac’s farm, Grace bravely brought up that she felt like she and Zac were acting more like friends than potential lovers. Zac admitted he’s quite shy in relationships and sometimes has a hard time expressing his emotions.
The rather mature conversation led to the first kiss of the season. And it wasn’t a peck either!
Zac was obviously stoked after the cheeky snog whereas Grace said it felt “weird and unnatural but good”. Not exactly a glowing review.
I am interested to see if we have another Thomas and Claire on our hands; last season, Thomas chose Claire for the 24 hour date and he was smitten. But she thought they had more ‘friend vibes’ and chose to leave both the farm and the show. Thomas was then very heartbroken when the other ladies arrived and he took quite a while to get over it and give them a chance.
On Jason’s farm, he and Beth had a romantic dinner. She was quick to ask about his ex, to which Jason exclaimed what we were all thinking: “Jesus.”
This season of Farmer Wants A Wife really isn’t mucking about.
The dairy farmer told Beth that his ex, his son’s mum, isn’t really “around” and it’s “unfortunate but is what it is”. Beth then admitted that while she has a good relationship with the father of her daughter, he and she agree what’s best for their child is to be with Beth most of the time.
This led to Beth telling Jason that, for this reason, there’s literally nothing holding her back from moving to the farm. The two then shared the second kiss of the season and it was rather passionate. Jason and Beth spent the rest of the evening cuddling and flirting; it’s crystal clear there are sparks here.
Jarrad and Carly had a very serious conversation too. He asked if she wants children, and whether she’s okay with him already being a dad to two sons. Carly assured the almond farmer that she wants children and is happy to become a step-mum. Jarrad simply replied he’s glad that they’re “on the same page” before kissing Carly.
As for Dylan, during his romantic fireside date with Ally, he asked what her biggest fear is. The 23-year-old admitted, “Infertility,” before giving an impassioned speech about how she really wants kids and wants to experience pregnancy.
I really liked all the weighted chats in this episode; it shows that the 2026 Farmers and ‘contestants’ really are looking for a serious long-lasting relationship.
After their conversation, it was obvious Ally wanted Dylan to kiss her. Instead he said, “Let’s go and get warm, hey,” before standing up and leaving.
He quickly explained to producers, “I’d like to kiss Ally but I want to give the other girls a chance… I’m listening to my heart but also my head. I need my gut to come at some point.”
Ally then spoke to producers, confessing she was a little disappointed that she didn’t get a kiss.
But out of nowhere, Dylan swooped in and kissed her while she was mid-sentence. It was very rom-com.
Not to mention, we then were shown footage from later that evening of the two pretty much making out in the woods.
As for Alex and Eddy, the farmer gifted her a beautiful gold pendant with a pearl before they shared a sweet smooch. Alex seems really taken with her but I couldn’t tell if she was into the kiss or not. She said she was “embarrassed” but that could’ve just been because of the cameras. Ah well, only time will tell if the two form a deeper bond.
Episode two came to an end with a teaser for the rest of the season and, again, I became certain that Miranda is getting the villain edit. During the teaser, Miranda said she didn’t want someone’s date to go well while very villainous music played. I said it in my recap of episode one and I’ll say it again, I really hope the drama is dialled back.
We all love Farmer Wants A Wife for its wholesome moments, right?
And that was episode two of Farmer Wants A Wife 2026! Stay tuned for more recaps and new episodes that air on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday nights on Channel 7 and 7now.
