Crofting

Ethical Farming Conference

The conference will explore models of food production that have a focus on fair work for people, high welfare for livestock, environmentally regenerative closed-loop production and sustainable circular economies.

The event will take place at Rainton Farm in South West Scotland, home of The Ethical Dairy, the largest cow with calf dairy farm in Europe.

You can see the event programme and find out more about the conference on the event website: https://www.ethicalfarming.org/ 

Tickets should be booked by 8 May 2019. 

The Scottish Government's Regional Food Fund has awarded bursaries to ten young women to attend the Ethical Farming Conference free of charge.

The successful applicants include a Scottish post-doctoral animal welfare researcher now working in New Zealand, post graduate researchers exploring issues around agri-environment, food security and animal behaviour, veterinary medicine students, small holders and new entrant farmers.

The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) has published a Rural Crime Strategy for 2019-22.​

SPARC is a multi-agency partnership involving key organisations collectively working together to tackle rural crime, in particular the increasing threat posed by Serious Organised Crime Groups throughout Scotland. 

​The Rural Crime Strategy sets out seven priorities for SPARC. These are:

The seventh annual British Farming Awards are now open for entries and nominations in 14 categories.

The awards celebrate the creative thinking, innovation and dedication of Britain's farmers. They are organised by AgriBriefing and supported by Morrisons. 

The award categories are:

Last night, as part of the much anticipated NetworX conference held in Brussels, the European Commissioner Phil Hogan announced the 5 winners of the inaugural Rural Inspiration Awards.

The Scottish Rural Network would like to extend a massive congratulations to all 25 finalists, and the 5 overall winners.

The winners were:

Sustainable Land Management

To look at opportunities for sustainable land management/community farming/new ways of farming the land.

Find out more

Update 10 April 2019, please note this article has been updated to reflect the extended deadline for applications.

The 2019 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) round is currently open to applications and closes on 17 April 2019.

Four young farmers and crofters have been appointed to champion a cultural and behavioural shift towards low-carbon, environmentally sustainable farming in Scotland.

The Young Farmer Climate Change Champions will work through peer-to-peer learning to highlight how farmers can improve efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce costs, and enhance the sustainability of their businesses.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon made the announcement, which was a Programme for Government commitment, while visiting one of the champions’ croft in the Cairngorms.

Yvonne White, a crofter from Kingsburgh on the Isle of Skye, has been appointed to lead the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF). At a board and council meeting held in Inverness last Friday, two new vice-chairs were also nominated and approved.

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