Kintyre women at farming event
A NUMBER of Kintyre’s farming women got stuck in at a farming conference in Lochgilphead.
They joined more than 50 representatives at the Women in Agriculture event on October 4.
Women from across Argyll and the islands gathered to discuss the challenges they face in the industry and how they can help make Scottish agriculture more inclusive.
The one-day, free event was hosted by guest speaker Joyce Campbell, joint chairwoman of the Scottish Government women in agriculture task force, and chaired by Sarah Allison, vice-chairwoman of the NFU Scotland New Generation group. Ms Campbell, a Sutherland sheep farmer, won the inaugural AgriScot Scottish Sheep farm of the year award in 2015.
Ms Allison sits on the newly-created national council of rural advisers, and was previously chairwoman of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs’ agri and rural affairs committee.
A series of workshops at Lochgilphead Community Centre covered farm diversification, funding opportunities through Business Gateway and LEADER, rural leadership, brand marketing and building on the role of women in NFU Scotland.
Linda McLean from Kilmaho Farm, who helps out First Milk’s marketing team, gave a talk on the dairy company’s campaign to promote Mull of Kintyre cheddar, while Catherine Ralston from the Rhoin Farm, agriculture lecturer at Campbeltown’s Argyll College UHI, spoke about what the college can offer young people.