A farmer wants to take a wife on the new 'Bachelor' season

NEW YORK (AP) - Chris Soules, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa (population: 429), wants to take a wife on the 19th season of ABC's "The Bachelor."

Soules competed on the last season of "The Bachelorette," where he made it to the final three, but was ultimately rejected by Andi Dorfman because the former Fulton County, Georgia, assistant district attorney couldn't see herself moving to his small town.

Now Soules says he's "in love" and "excited that the whole journey worked."

In a recent interview, Soules said he was confident in the process of finding love on TV.

"I had to leave harvest, which is one of the most intense periods for our farming operation throughout the year. Leaving that all behind, it had to be something I believed in. It put a lot of additional stress on my family," he said.

"The Bachelor" airs Mondays (8 p.m. EST).

AP: How do you remember all the women's names early on in the competition, especially on the first night when there were 30 women?

Soules: It is difficult, especially that first night because you don't get to know them really well and it's hard to put a face with the name. Over time it gets easier because you have relationships that are developing. That first night is pretty difficult.

AP: Have you spoken to the woman you picked about how she'll deal with watching the show and seeing you on other dates? Or will she even watch the show?

Soules: I think that she's going back and forth (about whether she'll watch).

AP: After this show, do you anticipate ever buying roses for a woman again?

Soules: (Laughs.) Maybe we'll just stay away from red.

AP: Did you have a mental checklist about the qualities you were looking for?

Soules: I didn't really have a mental list. What I was looking for was a soul mate - a friend, a person that I could see myself spending the rest of my life with as a partner in life, and someone I want to raise a family with and who I can spend the rest of my life with. And those things I think you just know when you know.

AP: You had your heart broken on "The Bachelorette." To break hearts is hard, too, and to break so many hearts must have been hard.

Soules: That was the most intense part. Night one I was thinking, 'It won't be that bad because there's gonna be really no serious feelings developed yet,' but even that night was hard. I really second-guessed myself because I hadn't been able to spend that much time with a lot of the women. I went into this very seriously knowing I'm potentially picking my future wife and I was worried about making a mistake.

AP: What about the issue of these women moving to Iowa? I'm sure in the beginning they're excited that you're The Bachelor and wrapped up in the situation, and I'm sure they're all saying, 'Yes I would move!' Did that come up?

Soules: That's an issue I knew I'd encounter, and there was some of that where I felt like they were telling me they would be willing to move, but in the back of my mind I kind of questioned if they really meant it or if they really were being honest. It's hard for some to know what it's like being in a small town until they experience it.

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Follow Alicia Rancilio online at http://www.twitter.com/aliciar

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Online: http://www.abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/