The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Sisters are farming heroes
Delight as women win award
Two Shetland sisters – who struggled through the death of their father – have been named Countryfile’s Farming Heroes 2018.
Kirsty, 25, and Aimee Budge, 20, were one of three finalists taken from hundreds of nominations at the BBC Food Awards.
The sisters took over the running of Bigton Farm after the tragic death of their father, Bryden, in an accident in 2014.
Not only did they manage to keep the farm going but became one of nine Monitor Farms in Scotland that aim to share best practice in the farming community.
That led to an appearance on the Sunday night staple Countryfile programme, but neither Aimee nor Kirsty could predict where it ended.
Aimee said: “We were so shocked and surprised, really surprised, really happy to win it.
“It was such a great feeling to be nominated. We were just happy to be among the finalists because there were hundreds of nominations.”
When her father died Miss Budge said it was a considered choice to take on the running of the farm.
She said: “We had always helped on the farm and just didn’t want to see all his work fall.
“The farm has been in our family for five generations so we made the choice to take it on.”
But, despite the sad circumstances, the sisters were determined to make a success of it and decided to innovate and diversify the business.
Miss Budge said: “The way we see it, a monitor farm is all about bringing the community together.
“We have six meetings a year with people like grass speakers – we just had an advisor from New Zealand.
Countryfile’s resident farmer Adam Henson said: “Aimee and Kirsty really stood out as being true Farming Heroes.
“When Countryfile visited Kirsty and Aimee, we found two hardworking and impressive sisters, who have shown the kind of spirit and determination that is an inspiration to all farmers, young and old.”
He added: “They did not hesitate to step up and play their part in running the family farm after their father’s sudden death.
“And they are being proactive in taking the farm to new heights, trialling new farming techniques.”
It was the way the Budge sisters embraced new ways of farming that won the judges over.
Mr Henson said: “We gave them the award because in the face of such a tough time for them, they are helping improve farming for everyone in their area.
“As Shetland’s only monitor farm, they are leading the way in promoting and sharing best practice – which will be good for all farmers in Shetland.”