Farming

The 2018 application window for the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is now open.

The scheme supports environmentally-friendly land management practices that aim to safeguard and improve Scotland’s natural heritage and help businesses adapt to climate change.

The AECS 2018 application window opened today (17 January) and will run for 12 weeks until 13 April 2018. The deadline for applications for collaborative projects which involve five or more businesses is 31 May 2018.

A Changing Landscape - Making the Most of Our Natural Assets

A key reason for reason for much of South West Scotland having been designated as the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is its long history of agriculture and forestry which has shaped our landscapes, our biodiversity, our local economy and our local communities.

With changes on the horizon leading to increased pressures for afforestation, particularly of commercial monoculture, the intensification of livestock farming in our lowlands and the threat to the sustainability of hill and upland farming from Brexit, the makeup of the region is going to change.

In a new video from Quality Meat Scotland you can find out more about the Shetland Monitor Farm.

Run by sisters Kirsty and Aimee Budge, Bigton Farm in Shetland is one of nine new Monitor Farms established in Scotland in 2016.

The objective of the Monitor Farm Scotland programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of farm businesses through practical demonstrations, the sharing of best practice and the group approach to addressing industry issues.

The EIP-AGRI Service Point is looking for coordinating experts for a number of workshops, seminars and Focus Groups on a range of topics.

The agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) works to foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that 'achieves more and better from less'. 

Farming Scotland Conference 2018: Innovations in Farming

A conference that promotes discussion and debate on issues which affect the farming industry, here in Scotland and throughout the world.

The focus of the conference will be on the future, with an exciting line up of speakers sharing their views and experience under the banner of "Innovations in Farming". 

A comedy night in Blairgowrie is set to raise funds for RHET Perth & Kinross -- a charity dedicated to teaching children about food, farming and the countryside.

Phil Differ will headline the Comedy Night at Blairgowrie Town Hall on Saturday 24 February 2018. Phil Differ has a career spanning over thirty-five years and been behind many of Scotland’s best loved comedy shows including Chewin’ the Fat, Still Game and Offside.

Scotland Food & Drink are carrying out a short online survey to gather views to help grow the food tourism sector in Scotland.

Food tourism includes any tourism experience in which a person consumes and/or learns about food and drink that reflects the local cuisine, heritage or culture of a place. This includes the active pursuit of unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences as well as agri-tourism.

Over 800 projects in Scotland are to benefit from funding from the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme to encourage environmentally-friendly land management practices.

AECS 2017 has awarded £47.7 million to 801 projects over the next five years to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk, and help agricultural businesses adapt to climate change.

Announcing the award, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

RHET Volunteer Training Night

Due to the continued success of The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) in Perth & Kinross they have organised a Volunteer Training Night on Monday 29 January 2018 at Letham St Marks Church Centre, Perth from 7 – 9pm.

Chair Emily Grant has invited all current and potential volunteers to come along to learn tips and techniques on how to teach pupils about food and farming.  

Emily said:

RHET Perth & Kinross Comedy Night

Phil Differ is the headline stand-up act for the upcoming Comedy Night to raise funds for RHET Perth & Kinross – a charity dedicated to educating children across the region about food, farming and the countryside.

The Comedy Night will take place at Blairgowrie Town Hall on the evening of Saturday 24 February 2018 and tickets can be purchased on EventBrite (search ‘RHET Comedy Night’).

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