Final answer:
Peter Jackson discovered the farm for Hobbiton in 1998 during an aerial search for locations. The farm, situated near Matamata, New Zealand, was chosen for its idyllic landscape and one particularly large tree.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter Jackson, the renowned film director, discovered the farm that would become the iconic set for Hobbiton in the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series in 1998. It was during an aerial search for suitable filming locations across New Zealand that Jackson's team found the Alexander Farm, a picturesque piece of land near Matamata, which had the ideal rolling hills and a large tree that perfectly suited Jackson's vision for Hobbiton. After negotiations with the landowners, the farm was transformed into the beloved Shire, recognizable to fans worldwide.