History Main / FarmBoy

[[quoteright:160:[[VideoGame/HarvestMoon https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/harvest-moon_farm_boy.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:160:Have pitchfork, will travel.]]

* Slightly off course is Sheeta from ''Anime/CastleInTheSky''. She's a farmgirl [[spoiler: who is descended from the Laputian royal family,]] but she already knows this when we meet her (neither we nor Pazu do, though).

* {{Deconstructed|Trope}} in ''[[Manga/YuushaGojoKumiaiKouryuugataKeijiban Hero Union BBS]]''. When the kingdom in the Sky Garden universe was threatened by the Demon Lord, the destined hero from the countryside, marked with the blessing of various spirits, appeared to save the day. Unfortunately, he had been born so far out in the sticks that the kingdom forgot he existed and summoned a hero from another world to deal with the threat. Since kingdom now has two fully qualified heroes for an enemy that does not warrant that much force, it's up to Sage of the Forest, a retired hero who has no idea how to handle the situation, to come up with a solution.

* In King's Dragon, the first book of Kate Elliot's series Crown of Stars, Alain is the foster son of a merchant, and is raised by he and his sister, Alain's "aunt" Bel. He was not raised on a farm, but still fits the trope, because he grows up at home, doing work for his guardians and being a normal guy. Until [[spoiler: he is visited by the Lady of Battles, taken to Count Lavastine's castle, and eventually discovers that he is his son and heir.]]

* Westley in ''Literature/ThePrincessBride'' begins as a farmboy, but eventually becomes the Dread Pirate Roberts. He's not related to anyone important, though.
* Subverted in ''Literature/{{Athyra}}'', which is told from the perspective of a smarter-than-average Teckla [serf] named Savn, who also has some skill with magic. From Savn's perspective, Vlad comes across as the Obi Wan figure, but the reader (who knows that Vlad is the actual protagonist of the series) realizes this isn't the case, and indeed Savn does not have the happy destiny of the other characters on this page.
* In Creator/LloydAlexander's ''Literature/PrydainChronicles'' (and Disney's [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation of the first two books]], ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron''), Taran is a young boy, profession '''assistant''' pig-keeper, who [[JumpedAtTheCall ran headlong into adventures]] (and a thornbush) when Hen Wen, his oracular charge, ran away from [[BigBad Arawn's]] new lieutenant [[TheDragon the Horned King]]. Special bonus points must be awarded as he is often called farm-boy (or, more often, pig-boy) in a derogatory way. Son of [[spoiler:nobody, as far as it's known. He was found as a baby nearby a violent battle where nobody survived, so he was without rank or heritage, something which his foster-father took as a sign that he was the chosen child]].

** Mort wasn't even much good at being a farmboy, yet a stint as the GrimReaper-In-Training left him in a position to become a Duke. [[spoiler: Not for very long, unfortunately.]]

** His ancestor David is possibly the UrExample, making this trope at least OlderThanFeudalism. Played with in that instead being the last scion from a lost royal line, he is the founder of the lost royal line.
* ''Literature/CodexAlera'' has Tavi of Calderon, an orphan raised by his aunt and uncle, [[TheCallPutMeOnHold powerless]] in a world where EveryoneIsASuper. As he grows up, saves the world repeatedly, and generally attracts attention by being a BadassNormal, people begin to notice strange things about him. Such as how [[spoiler:the [[ObfuscatingStupidity mentally disabled]] slave owned by his uncle looks rather like legendary swordsman Araris Valerian behind the coward's brand on his face, and is uncannily good with a sword. Or how Tavi just happens to look a ''lot'' like Princeps Gaius Septimus, who was [[strike:killed in battle]] assassinated under cover of a battle near Tavi's home shortly before he was born. Or how First Lord Gaius Sextus, Septimus's father, put Tavi through the Academy as his personal aide. Or how his bodyguard when he ends up Captain of a Legion is a brilliant, scarred swordsman named Araris... Yeah, [[MeaningfulName "Tavi"]] is [[SecretLegacy short for]] "[[RagsToRoyalty Gaius]] Oc'''tavi'''an."]]

* Almanzo Wilder in Creator/LauraIngallsWilder 's ''Farmer Boy''. It's the story of Wilder's youth on a horse farm. The CallToAdventure is go west to the wild frontier (for more farming).

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', Link was a goatherd before he was pulled into a world of Triforces, shadow demons, and the never ending battle of good vs. evil. [[spoiler:''Hyrule Historia'' reveals he's a distant descendant of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]''[='s=] Link.]]

* Evan in ''VideoGame/MapleStory''. Just a normal boy living in a pig farm until he had a dream meeting a dragon. Guess what happens to him when he woke up from his dream...

* In an inversion of this trope, in the Canon ending for Wing Commander 3, Blair goes off to be a farmboy. It doesn't take as he's recalled to active duty at the start of Wing Commander 4, now being a bitter, lonely man.

** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', Donnel's genderflipped {{expy}} Mozu also starts as a Villager and with the Aptitude skill - if nerfed by half. Her own Personal Skill, Forager, allows her to recover life points at the end of a turn when she's standing on a Mountain, Forest, Wasteland, or Field type terrain.

** This is even [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in the FlavorText of a few items. With the hordes of treasure, an army at your back, a faithful dragon at your side, and the ownership of literally HUNDREDS of castles and other structures, it seems the quickest way to fame and glory is an entry level position as a turnip farmer.

** A TieInNovel shows that Pinkie was [[TheCuckooLanderWasRight truthful]] in her account of her past when her family arrives in Ponyville to seek help from the newly crowned Twilight. Also a flashback from an episode reveals that a recurring character was force to work on said rock to make a living. Two other episodes feature trips to the rock farm in question.

** UsefulNotes/AndrewJackson was born on a small "plantation" somewhere in North or South Carolina, and grew up rural.

* Flavius Iustinus was born around 450 as a farmer's son somewhere in the rural Balkans. 68 years later he became a Byzantine emperor known as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_I Justin I,]] having had a steep military career.

* Creator/GregEgan's ''Literature/{{Orthogonal}}'' trilogy features two examples, both of which are rare female examples (which in itself is {{Justified|Trope}} by the unusual gender roles in the aliens' society):

* In the second book, Tamara is also from a farm, which becomes more significant [[spoiler:when she is held hostage and almost murdered there]].
* Almanzo Wilder in Creator/LauraIngallsWilder 's ''Farmer Boy'' personifies this trope. Justified, as it's the story of Wilder's youth on a horse farm. This also makes him (somewhat) the DistaffCounterpart to young Laura in the other books in the series. The CallToAdventure is very much {{downplayed|trope}}: it's only to go west to the wild frontier (for more farming), and occurs long after the book ends.

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': As a young boy who spends his days working on his aunt's farm, Oscar lives a very ordinary life but secretly wishes for something more exciting. When he begins hearing voices in his head, telling him that could have a special destiny if he wants it, he actively tries to ignore everything the voices tell him, convinced that he's going completely crazy. [[spoiler:The voice inside his head is the mysteriously missing [[BigGood Ozpin]], who tells him that their Auras and souls have merged because both Oscar and Ozpin were born special, with a potential for greatness if they embrace the opportunity to become the person that guides the world when the world needs help. Oscar eventually resigns himself to the situation and leaves his aunt's farm to begin the journey to Mistral to meet with one of Ozpin's trusted allies, the Haven headmaster.]]

--> '''Gillian:''' Don't tell me; you're from outer space!
-->'''Kirk:''' No, I'm from Iowa. I only work in outer space.
** [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Jean-Luc Picard]] grew up on his family's vineyard, although he shed himself of this trope (or its trappings) as soon as he was old enough to enlist as a Starfleet cadet.

* ''Fanfic/TheJoysAndSorrowsOfYoungCharlesFinster'' reveals that [[MissingMom Melinda]] [[TheLostLenore Finster]], then Melinda Cavanaugh, grew up on a farm until she was nine years old, when she and her father to the city. There, young Melinda met young Chas, who was just her age. The move also counts as a plot point, since, although Chas was told that Melinda's own mother had died, Melinda herself doesn't know that.

* Disney/{{Hercules}} is raised as a farm boy by his MuggleFosterParents after losing his divinity as a baby, as part of being played as a Superman {{Expy}}. [[DeadpanSnarker Megara]] even snarks about his "big, innocent farm boy routine" after they first meet, even though he really is that {{Adorkable}}.

* In Creator/LloydAlexander's ''Literature/PrydainChronicles'' (and Disney's [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation of the first two books]], ''Disney/TheBlackCauldron''), Taran is a young boy, profession '''assistant''' pig-keeper, who [[JumpedAtTheCall ran headlong into adventures]] (and a thornbush) when Hen Wen, his oracular charge, ran away from [[BigBad Arawn's]] new lieutenant [[TheDragon the Horned King]]. Special bonus points must be awarded as he is often called farm-boy (or, more often, pig-boy) in a derogatory way. Son of [[spoiler:nobody, as far as it's known. He was found as a baby nearby a violent battle where nobody survived, so he was without rank or heritage, something which his foster-father took as a sign that he was the chosen child]].

* Creator/GregEgan's ''Literature/{{Orthogonal}}'' trilogy features two examples, both of which are rare female examples (which in itself is [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] by the unusual gender roles in the aliens' society); {{Protagonist}} Yalda spends a few chapters at the beginning of the first book on her family farm before beginning her academic studies in earnest, and in the second book, Tamara is also from a farm, which becomes more significant [[spoiler:when she is held hostage and almost murdered there]].

* Basically genderflipped with Lindsay Messer on ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' ,who grew up on a farm in Montana before heading to New York to become a crimefighting detective/investigator.

* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'': Eragon was a hunter/farmer raised by his uncle, whose home was destroyed by forces looking for the dragon egg. [[spoiler: At one point was thought to be the Son of Morzan, a Dragon Rider who was the pupil of the OldMaster Oromis before he joined Galbatorix It turns out that he was actually the son of Brom, who used to be Morzan's Lickspittle.]]

A staple of fantasy adventures. Farmy [=McFarmboy=] is just an [[TheEveryman ordinary]], [[HumbleHero humble]] [[KidHero young]] farmboy/hunter/etc. living and working in a [[TheSimpleLifeIsSimple simple]], [[{{Arcadia}} tranquil, pastoral land]] until destiny (and his [[TheMentor mentor]]) [[CallToAdventure comes knocking]], normally [[DoomedHometown knocking down his house or town in the process]]. Farmy is typically very [[IJustWantToBeNormal whiny]] and [[RefusalOfTheCall resistant]] to the idea of being the ChosenOne but [[UpbringingMakesTheHero eventually accepts the idea.]] Generally, [[LukeIAmYourFather he's the son of somebody important]] -- either the BigBad or TheDragon -- or else from an ancient line of wizards or [[RoyalBlood kings]] and is either A) [[{{Nephewism}} raised by an aunt or uncle]] or B) their parent has fled their old life of adventure.

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', Link was a goatherd before he was pulled into a world of Triforces, shadow demons, and the never ending battle of good vs. evil. [[spoiler:''Hyrule Historia'' reveals he's a distant descendant of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda Ocarina of Time]]''[='s=] Link.]]

* Both the main character and Walter ([[spoiler:the Chaos-aligned hero]]) of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' are from rural villages and were born into the low-ranking 'Casualry' caste. However, all children in the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado who turn eighteen are tested to see if they can wield a 'Gauntlet' (a sort of arm computer that can summon demons); those who pass are deemed worthy of becoming Samurai, the Kingdom's primary protectors. Not surprisngly, both the protagonist and Walter are among the few Casualries who become full-fledged Samurai.

* Basically genderflipped with Lindsay Messer on ''Seires/{{CSINY}}'' ,who grew up on a farm in Montana before heading to New York to become a crimefighting detective/investigator.

--->'''Lois Lane:''' ''(from the pilot episode)'' Don't fall for me, farmboy. I don't have time for it.

Does not ''have'' to be male (which doesn't mean he's the SpearCounterpart of the FarmersDaughter), but almost always is.

* In ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', Frodo is the equivalent of the [[BlueBlood landed gentry]] (i.e. rich enough to live a comfortable life of leisure) but Samwise Gamgee is a gardener. Unlike most Farm Boys, though, Sam does not [[RefusalOfTheCall resist being chosen]], but rather forces himself into the quest when others are chosen.

As David Eddings (a major user of this trope) explained in The Rivan Codex, it is a good way to explain how your fantasy world works within the context of the story. The reader [[AudienceSurrogate learns the rules along with the main character]].

* Bria in ''Literature/TheLastDove''. She is raised in a rural village where she is mocked for not being able to Change. [[spoiler: Then she finds out that she's Queen Vasi's daughter]]

* A Season One episode of ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'' reveals that Uncle Phil was born and raised on a small farm in North Carolina. Phil, a proud SelfMadeMan who attended Princeton and moved to Harlem to participate in civil rights activism, is at first ashamed of this part of his personality, and tries keep it secret--which proves difficult when his mother shows up to celebrate his receiving an important award and starts [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents telling stories about his childhood exploits]]. After a heart-to-heart, though, he publicly acknowledges his rural roots during his award acceptance speech, remarking that while his parents and childhood lifestyle didn't give him wealth or privilege, they ''did'' bestow the values of hard work, integrity, courage, and love.

* ''{{Series/Merlin}}'' was a boy from a small farming village before TheCall sent him to Camelot.

** (Bel)Garion the farmer's nephew. His home town was not blown up (though the farm's kitchen apparently was) and his "aunt" Polgara turned out to be a powerful and ancient sorceress and, while technically still his aunt, just many, many generations back. [[spoiler: He's the heir of the Rivan Kings.]]

A staple of fantasy adventures. Farmy [=McFarmboy=] is just an [[TheEveryman ordinary]], [[HumbleHero humble]] [[KidHero young]] farmboy/hunter/etc. living and working in a [[TheSimpleLifeIsSimple simple]], [[{{Arcadia}} tranquil, pastoral land]] until destiny (and his [[TheMentor mentor]]) [[CallToAdventure comes knocking]], normally [[DoomedHometown knocking down his house or town in the process]]. Farmy is typically very [[IJustWantToBeNormal whiny]] and [[RefusalOfTheCall resistant]] to the idea of being the ChosenOne but [[UpbringingMakesTheHero eventually accepts the idea.]] Generally, he's the son of somebody important -- either the BigBad or TheDragon -- or else from an ancient line of wizards or [[RoyalBlood kings]] and is either A) [[{{Nephewism}} raised by an aunt or uncle]] or B) their parent has fled their old life of adventure.

* ''Literature/CodexAlera'' has Tavi of Calderon, an orphan raised by his aunt and uncle, [[TheCallPutMeOnHold powerless]] in a world where EveryoneIsASuper. As he grows up, saves the world repeatedly, and generally attracts attention by [[BadassNormal being very]] [[CrazyAwesome awesome]], people begin to notice strange things about him. Such as how [[spoiler:the [[ObfuscatingStupidity mentally disabled]] slave owned by his uncle looks rather like legendary swordsman Araris Valerian behind the coward's brand on his face, and is uncannily good with a sword. Or how Tavi just happens to look a ''lot'' like Princeps Gaius Septimus, who was [[strike:killed in battle]] assassinated under cover of a battle near Tavi's home shortly before he was born. Or how First Lord Gaius Sextus, Septimus's father, put Tavi through the Academy as his personal aide. Or how his bodyguard when he ends up Captain of a Legion is a brilliant, scarred swordsman named Araris... Yeah, [[MeaningfulName "Tavi"]] is [[SecretLegacy short for]] "[[RagsToRoyalty Gaius]] Oc'''tavi'''an."]]

A staple of fantasy adventures. Farmy [=McFarmboy=] is just an [[TheEveryman ordinary]], humble [[KidHero young]] farmboy/hunter/etc. living and working in a [[TheSimpleLifeIsSimple simple]], [[{{Arcadia}} tranquil, pastoral land]] until destiny (and his [[TheMentor mentor]]) [[CallToAdventure comes knocking]], normally [[DoomedHometown knocking down his house or town in the process]]. Farmy is typically very [[IJustWantToBeNormal whiny]] and [[RefusalOfTheCall resistant]] to the idea of being the ChosenOne but [[UpbringingMakesTheHero eventually accepts the idea.]] Generally, he's the son of somebody important -- either the BigBad or TheDragon -- or else from an ancient line of wizards or [[RoyalBlood kings]] and is either A) [[{{Nephewism}} raised by an aunt or uncle]] or B) their parent has fled their old life of adventure.