Lindsey takes up key role promoting food
Crieff grad to raise profile
A Crieff woman has been chosen to spearhead a key part of the work of the National Farmers’ Union in Scotland.
Lindsey Macdonald has become its food policy and campaigns officer and she has set a target of delivering change for farmers and crofters.
The 22-year-old completed her degree at Edinburgh University before taking part in the Leadership graduate scheme operated by major retailer Waitrose.
Lindsey said: “Having grown up in rural Perthshire, many of my family friends are from the farming community and this gave me exposure from a young age to the challenges and opportunities facing farmers in an ever-changing world.
“Being part of the Waitrose graduate scheme was an incredible opportunity to learn about how supermarkets work and see the other the side of the coin. I now have a good understanding of the industry and how farmers and crofters might go about better positioning themselves to be more competitive in an arena where all too often they are made to feel powerless.
“I feel extremely lucky to have been offered the Food Policy and Campaigns Officer post within NFU Scotland and it is great to be started. It’s already proving to be an exciting role that can deliver real and lasting change for farmers and crofters.”
NFU Scotland’s Deputy Director of Policy Andrew Bauer said: “With the turbulence of Brexit and current market conditions, it is essential that NFU Scotland is equipped to help its members navigate to a more secure and prosperous future.
“The food policy and campaigns role is an important part of how NFU Scotland will tackle this, and we are delighted to have secured such a capable and enthusiastic person for the role.
“Lindsey will be spending her early months getting around Scotland to meet farmers, processors, retailers and other key players in the supply chain.
“She’ll be getting to grips with some of the issues and campaigns that NFU Crieff’s Lindsey Macdonald
Scotland has been making progress on in recent years, and in due course, tackling the new ones that will undoubtedly be thrown up in the future.