OFC role recognises forward-thinking of Black and Dargie

Theme of Oxford Farming Conference ‘Embracing Change’

Some of Britain’s most progressive young farmers and agribusiness people, including two from central Scotland, are being funded to attend January’s Oxford Farming Conference (OFC).

Anna Black from Braeside of Lindores at Newburgh is one of the 17 people to be selected for the Emerging Leader programme which was established this year to give young people a platform at the conference to debate, discuss and challenge the future of UK agriculture with peers, businesses and politicians.

Anna took over management of Lindores Cross Country, which was nominated equestrian business of the year in 2017 and is now launching a sporting retreat with luxury accommodation.

The crop production manager of East of Scotland Farmers, Colin Dargie, is another successful candidate.

He is also deputy general manager of the co-operative which provides 300 farmer members with drying, storage, marketing and technical advice on crops.

He is a graduate of the rural leadership programme and has been a farm consultant for SAC farm business service.

The delegates come from all areas of agri-business, and will be fully hosted at the three-day conference from January 3-5 as well as at a pre-event on-farm tour and policy discussion later this month.

OFC director Tom Allen-Stevens, who is spearheading the programme this year, said the delegates represented some of the most forward-thinking, progressive farmers in the UK.

“They have enough farming and business experience to know what works, and enough energy and foresight to identify new opportunities and how to implement them,” he said.

“Their thoughts and opinions matter because they are a barometer on the current farming environment and a sounding board for how future changes will affect farming prospects.”

The theme for the 2018 conference is Embracing Change.

As well as the main conference events and dinners, the agenda for the Emerging Leaders includes fringe discussion groups and events.

The OFC chairman, Auchterhouse farmer Caroline Millar, pointed out that the diversity of delegates was essential.

She said: “These people will ultimately shape the future of UK agriculture, and it is our aim to bring as many different opinions, interests and ideas to play a part in this, including those who may not have thought to or had the opportunity to attend the conference in the past.”

Anna Black and Colin Dargie are being funded to attend January’s Oxford Farming Conference. The delegates have been hailed as the sort of people who will ultimately shape the future of UK agriculture.