Women to take lead at conference

Women involved in Scotland’s farming industry will meet in Fife next month to focus on farm diversification opportunities.

The Women In Agriculture Scotland (WIAS) spring conference will take place in the home of the family of King Robert the Bruce and will feature a presentation from Professor Sally Shortall of Newcastle University, who will discuss a Scottish Government taskforce report into women in agriculture.

Fife farmer Steven Mitchell will talk about how he went from rearing cattle to running Scotland’s largest buffalo farm and butchery and there will be presentations on Open Farm Sunday and farm business planning and resilience.

WIAS chairwoman June Geyer said the event is open to anyone with an interest in farming.

She added: “For women working in Scottish agriculture, our events are an excellent opportunity to network, to share experiences and to exchange ideas.”

The WIAS committee includes representatives from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Groups, the Royal Bank of Scotland, rural charity RSABI, Scotland’s Rural College and the farmers union.

It aims to offer support to women across rural Scotland and help them seek advice and skills-based learning and access networking and peer group support.

The conference will take place at Broomhall House, Charlestown, Dunfermline, on Tuesday April 16 from 10.30am to 3.30pm.