Young farmers will lead cultural shift to low-carbon businesses
A TEAM of pioneering young farmers and crofters have been appointed to champion a “cultural and behavioural” shift to low-carbon, environmentally sustainable farming.
These Young Farmer Climate Change Champions – Aimee and Kirsty Budge of Bigton Farm, Shetland; Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer, of Lynbreck Croft, in the Cairngorms; Robert Fleming, of Castle Sinniness Farm, Galloway; and Bryce Cunningham, of Mossgiel Farm, Ayrshire – will work through peer-topeer learning to highlight how farmers can improve efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce costs, and enhance the sustainability of their businesses.
Scottish rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon announced the initiative, which honours a commitment made in the SNP’S Programme for Government, while visiting Lynbreck Croft, a 150-acre mixed habitat croft enterprise in the Cairngorms National Park, where Ms Cassels and Ms Baer have used their backgrounds in conservation to develop a business model that delivers for nature, improves the health of the land and enhances the well-being of their animals, all while producing high quality food.
Ms Gougeon said: “We want farmers and crofters to move towards a more profitable, low-carbon, environmentally sustainable future, adapting to the changing climate and securing business viability for future generations.
“It is great to see so many examples of young farmers leading the way when it comes to tackling climate change, and embracing the kind of on-farm practices we need to see replicated across the industry.
“That’s why I have asked the champions to engage with their peers to highlight good practice and some of the actions they have taken to increase sustainability, protect our natural environment, and reduce costs and emissions on their farms and crofts.”
She added: “By driving this shift towards low-carbon, environmentally sustainable farming, the champions will demonstrate the benefits of reducing the use of certain fertilisers, reduce the intensity of our meat production, and encourage the uptake of carbon sequestration through working with the natural environment on their farms and crofts.
“This is a really exciting initiative, which I look forward to seeing develop and prosper in the months ahead.”
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Farmer or visit www. thescottishfarmer.co.uk