Tickets are now on sale for an international agricultural conference, where 250 representatives from 54 different countries are expected to attend, including: Australia; New Zealand; Kenya; Uganda; Canada; India and Jamaica between June 26-27, 2024.
The conference will be held in Scotland by Princess Royal, Anne Windsor, who is patron of the 30th Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) Conference, which is traditionally held every two years.
The organisation was founded in 1957 by her father, the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip, who served as president of the society for half a century.
This years landmark event will have the theme of growing a commonwealth, and will consist of a gala dinner which will be hosted in the members’ pavilion of the Royal Highland Showground.
For people who arrive in Scotland before the actual conference, there will be guided tours and farm visits, along with the chance to attend the Royal Highland Show.
According to the RASC, their mission is to promote the development of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and the rural environment.
The conference also aims to improve awareness among the general public and consumers about agriculture and rural concerns, whilst also encouraging and supporting farming and the rural economy’s message.
An Australian farmer and trustee of RASC, John Bennett, said that due to the cancellation of the last conference in 2020, it has resulted in a great deal of excitement about next year’s event.
“To anybody wondering about buying a ticket, my simple message is get yourself there. I have been attending since 2004, and have yet to meet anybody who hasn’t enjoyed themselves or had their money’s worth from the great ideas they have returned home with.
“It doesn’t matter whereabouts in the world somebody comes from, if you are interested in agriculture or are part of an agricultural show society you will find plenty to talk about.
“It never ceases to amaze me how much we all have in common and I will be forever grateful for the network of people around the world that I can give a call to, or send an email, to ask for their help and advice,” he continued.
As a result of Bennett’s involvement with his local agricultural show, he first attended the conference as a Next Generation delegate.
Speaking of his first time in attendance, he said: “Two years later, I was in Calgary and what an amazing opportunity it was. It’s easy within agriculture to get blinkered and only think about your own farm and part of the world. It’s vital for the future of agriculture that the next generation get involved.
RASC chairman, Sir. Nicholas Bacon, discussed the importance of the conference’s Next Generation sessions stating “we recognise that today’s young are the leaders of tomorrow.
“One of the biggest problems in agriculture is attracting the next generation into farming and it is wonderful to bring younger people together and see how many ideas they come up with.”
According to Mr. Bacon, “RASC is the only organisation to support and promote agriculture throughout the commonwealth and it’s so vital we keep up its valuable work.”
