There are some episodes where the humor works, there are some episodes where the humor is really bad, and then there are some episodes so moronic because it's trying too hard too be funny that it becomes a total waste of time.
I hate gimmick episodes like these. First off, why isn't Natalie or the Captain involved?, were both actors busy doing something else, or maybe they both agreed that this was a stupid and radioactive premise for an episode that they wisely stepped back.
A farm?, I'll admit, that there is potential of doing a farm base mystery. But not when it's written with such bottom of the barrel jokes that only get worse with age.
This episode illustrates the biggest problem with monk over all, when it's serious it's well handled, and when it's silly it's completely moronic.
But just to give this episode some credit. Props to the casting director, for having Ricardo Chavira as the bad guy. He's a great actor. When he's on screen you instantly see scumbag and he doesn't even have too much, that's just the power of his acting chops.