A new award aiming to crown the Diversified Farm of the Year has been launched by AgriScot.
Thanks to support from SAC Consulting, part of SRUC and long-term Agri Scot partner Royal Bank of Scotland, the new award will complete the prestigious stable of AgriScot farm of the year titles awarded each year at the farm business event.
Recently appointed AgriScot director, Ian Brydson, will act as convenor for the new award and commented:
“Our AgriScot farm of the year awards cover arable and all three of the principal livestock enterprises found on Scottish farms.
“We looked closely at what was missing from this line-up and realised that an award for the Diversified Farm of the Year would be the natural next step.
The Diversified Farm of the Year award will be open to any farming businesses in Scotland able to demonstrate excellence in a diversified, farm-based, enterprise.
“This is a broad canvas and we hope to see nominations and entries from farms with a wide variety of diversifications, from tourism to renewable energy to retail and everything in between,” Brydson said.
“As with our arable, beef, dairy and sheep awards we are looking for people and businesses who can showcase best practice, innovative thinking and inspirational activity to other farmers.
“I am delighted to welcome SAC Consulting on board as supporters and facilitators of the award and we are hugely grateful to Royal Bank of Scotland for their sponsorship.”
‘This new AgriScot award is a perfect fit’
Ceri Ritchie, head of food and drink at SAC Consulting echoed Brydson’s enthusiasm for the new award and stated:
“This new AgriScot award is a perfect fit for us at SAC Consulting and we are excited to be involved.
“Across our network, we have expertise in all aspects of rural business and contact with many well-respected diversified farms so we are very aware of the talent within the sector which this new award will celebrate.
“Our initial call is to anyone in the wide rural community, professional advisors, neighbours [and] customers to come forward with nominations for this award.
Do you know of a diversified farm that has a great story, worthy of recognition? Then please let us know.
“We want to cast the net wide, from farm shops to shepherd’s huts, livery yards to hydro schemes – if the business is a potential ambassador for farming, then it could be the 2021 AgriScot Diversified Farm of the Year,” Ritchie concluded.
