Farming

Scotland's Finest Woods aims to highlight all that is best in Scotland's management of woods and forests, and to showcase how they contribute to the wealth and wellbeing of Scotland's people.

The 2022 Awards are now open to entries. Judges will be seeking out Scotland's finest woods and rewarding the pursuit of excellence – there’s some stunning trophies to be won and over £11,000 worth of prize money!

More than 600 rural businesses with projects that protect the environment and mitigate the impact of climate change will share £30 million from the latest round of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) 2021.

The Practical Training Fund, which was launched earlier this year and is administered by Lantra Scotland, has already supported more than 400 women and girls to undertake courses to develop their skillset or change careers.

Projects awarded funding in most recent round of Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund.

The chosen projects have a specific focus on resource efficiency, cutting emissions, environmental performance and sustainability of agricultural holdings, and are supported by just over £170,000 of funding through the KTIF.

Allocation of next round of Croft House Grants for 2021/22.

The Croft House Grant scheme aims to retain and attract people to rural and remote communities with the latest round of funding awarding grants worth £265,922.

Farmers, crofters and land managers will be able to apply for support for conversion to and maintenance of organic land, alongside a suite of other measures aimed at promoting low carbon farming and protecting the environment.

Last week the Scottish Government announced details of its budget programme for 2022-23 which underlines their commitment to rural and island communities and businesses.

A major report has been commissioned to understand more about the nature and value of rural land sales in Scotland.

A move that will be crucial in considering the implications of new natural capital and carbon value in the land market.

The 150 acre farm ‘starter unit’ at Newton, near Loch of Lintrathen, was made available via the Scottish Government’s Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) scheme designed to increase opportunities for new people to enter the industry.