Hutton Highlights, February 2020

New Hutton-SRUC partnership to help students gain real-world experience The partnership will provide students with a more real-world experience in a commercial setting. They will be working with sheep, beef cattle and deer in a semi-upland setting. It’s hoped that by gaining experience in machinery and stock handling, students will be able to apply their knowledge in a real-world context and that the enhanced teaching of practical skills will help them into employment and throughout their careers. The collaboration is the latest partnership between the two major research institutes, which already work together on research, events and providing PhD opportunities. Hutton Director of Science Professor Deb Roberts notes: “Glensaugh Research Farm has long been used to test new products and demonstrate innovative land management practices. The fact that the farm is now also being used for educational purposes, to help train the next generation of farmers, is fantastic and evidence of the real benefits of collaboration across the Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Institutes (SEFARI).” SRUC’s North Faculty currently teaches around 100 agricultural students across its national certificate and degree level courses. SRUC also offers Masters-level courses and promotes routes for students to progress through different levels of qualifications. Philip Wrigglesworth, SRUC’s North Faculty Agriculture Team Leader, added: “We are grateful to the James Hutton Institute for the opportunity to work together. We share a common goal of putting research and theory into practice to benefit future food production and animal welfare.” The EU-funded NEWBIE project (New Entrant netWork: Business models for Innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience in European agriculture), is again calling for applications for the 2019 NEWBIE Award, which highlights the work of pioneering new entrant farmers across the UK. But hurry – applications close on 8 February. Run by the James Hutton Institute in the UK, NEWBIE offers an award to new entrants in eight countries as part of a suite of opportunities to help new farmers, crofters and smallholders network and develop successful businesses. The winner will get €500 towards training, a farm video and a lot of interest from the farming press. As part of the Award, last year’s winners Lynbreck Croft participated in an international new entrant farmer conference held in Slovenia from 4 - 6 February, where they networked with NEWBIE award winners from across Europe. This year NEWBIE is are seeking to recognise new entrant farms that promote resilience. This could be economic resilience through sound financial planning, demonstrable ability to respond after a significant challenge or set back, and/or a business model that considers future challenges like climate change or Brexit. If you represent a farm business or if you know of one that demonstrates any of these characteristics, get in touch and submit your entry by 8th February 2020. The winner will be announced in spring 2020. For more information about NEWBIE visit its project page and the NEWBIE Academy website . The Nature of Scotland Awards were presented at a ceremony in Edinburgh with 370 guests in attendance, as well as 44 finalists across nine categories. They recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation, and bring together bodies who share an interest in preserving Scotland’s precious natural heritage. Transition Turriefield earned a highly commended mention in the Food & Farming category for developing an innovative community growing project in the far west of Shetland to make fresh produce available locally to address issues of health, sustainability and food security in a challenging natural environment. Professor Colin Campbell said: “Food and farming are becoming even more important as Scotland aims to expand its food and drink sector, and this award recognises the people who are managing our farmland and producing food in ways that support nature.” Lynbreck Croft also won an inaugural NEWBIE UK award 2019 for New Entrant Farm Business of the Year. Lynbreck Croft wins Nature of Scotland Award Calling all new entrant farmers Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer of Lynbreck Croft picked up the 2019 Nature of Scotland Food & Farming Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for their success in establishing a 150-acre mixed habitat croft enterprise focussed on sustainable food production. 16 Hutton Highlights February 2020 17 Comments? A new partnership between the Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will put practical skills into the hands of future farmers. Students studying agriculture at national certificate and degree level at SRUC’s Aberdeen campus will now complete practical classes at the Institute’s Glensaugh Research Farm in Aberdeenshire. Photo credit: SRUC