Argyll and the islands to stage women in agriculture event

WOMEN involved in agriculture from across Argyll and the Islands will gather for a one-day conference being held on Wednesday October 4 in Lochgilphead Community Centre starting at 10am.

This free one-day event is aimed at all women involved in agriculture, bringing them together to discuss and find out more about a range of issues.

Guest speaker on the day will be Joyce Campbell, a Sutherland sheep farmer, winner of the inaugural AgriScot Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year Award in 2015 and currently joint chairwoman of the Scottish Government Women in Agriculture Task Force.

Ahead of the event, Joyce said: ‘I’m really looking forward to hearing from grassroot members what their thoughts and ideas are for the Women in Agriculture Task Force. I want to know what challenges they all face, and what they feel needs to happen to make our Scottish agricultural industry more representative of everyone who’s involved in it.’

The conference will be chaired by Sarah Allison, vice-chairwoman of the NFUS New Generation Group and previously chairwoman of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs Agri and Rural Affairs Committee. Sarah also sits on the newly created National Council of Rural Advisers.

Sarah said: ‘Women can be the under-utilised resource in rural Scotland, at the heart of many of our rural businesses, but all too often missing from crucial decision-making processes and rural boardrooms.

‘It is important that, to develop the rural economy, we empower and encourage our fellow ladies to share their talents with the wider industry. Events like this are important in breaking down the barriers to participation, evaluating how we can do things differently and involve the full scope of skills we have available. I am delighted to be involved in this event, and hope that we can encourage more women get involved in shaping the industry that we work and live in.’