Young farmers invited to ‘reimagine Glensaugh’ during upcoming farm demonstration

Glensaugh

“The young farmers who join us for this farm demonstration event at Glensaugh will have the opportunity not only to expand their business planning skills, but also to ‘reimagine’ a farm such as Glensaugh in a climate positive future. We’re excited to hear the ideas shared”

What do the next generation think should happen in Scottish agriculture to overcome the challenges of climate change and halt carbon emissions? This will be the topic for discussion during a tour and workshop at the James Hutton Institute’s ‘climate positive’ Glensaugh Farm this week.

The Scottish NEFERTITI Hub and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs are excited to invite new entrants to farming and young farmers to this in-person, on-farm demonstration at Glensaugh on Sunday 7th November 2021, 12pm-4pm.

The event will involve a guided tour of the farm, recognised for its climate positive farming initiative, followed by a practical workshop on business planning that will consider the challenges and opportunities climate change poses to Scottish agriculture.

Facilitators Jane Craigie (Rural Youth Project) and Robert Ramsay (SAC Consulting) will lead the group to design their own climate positive farming business plans, with the winning ideas being awarded prizes by an expert judging panel, including the Hutton’s Rural Business Enterprise Manager, Antonia White.

Dr Annie McKee a social researcher at the James Hutton Institute and ‘hub coach’ for the NEFERTITI project in Scotland, said: “The young farmers who join us for this farm demonstration event at Glensaugh will have the opportunity not only to expand their business planning skills, but also to ‘reimagine’ a farm such as Glensaugh in a climate positive future. We’re excited to hear the ideas shared.”

The European Commission-funded NEFERTITI project aims to facilitate on-farm demonstration activities and farmer-to-farmer learning that supports innovation uptake. The focus in Scotland is to support new entrant demonstration farmers, or those who wish to share their knowledge and experience with young people, to encourage farming careers.

The farm demonstration event is free to attend, with lunch and refreshments provided. Participant travel expenses will also be reimbursed. To register or for more information please get in touch with Tami Stevenson (tami.stevenson@hutton.ac.uk) or Annie McKee (Annie.McKee@hutton.ac.uk). Registered attendees with be sent further information and guidelines prior to the visit to Glensaugh.

Please note that this event is subject to cancellation on short notice in the event of Covid-19 guideline changes and/or unsuitable weather.

Notes to editors:

For more information on the NEFERTITI project visit the website here: https://nefertiti-h2020.eu/. The James Hutton Institute is one partner in the EU-wide NEFERTITI project.

This event is part of ‘Farm Attractiveness Week’, an initiative organised by NEFERTITI Network 10, which spans the week of 7th-12th November 2021.