Champions to the fore in union membership drive
A “Champions” campaign – which will focus on the advantages of being a member of NFU Scotland – has been launched to further boost the organisation’s membership.
The union yesterday said that although membership continued to grow, at a time of such high political engagement, it was important that the industry spoke with one voice.
“NFU Scotland is here to achieve a sustainable and profitable future for Scottish agriculture. We have grown our membership in recent years, and that is great, but we have a great opportunity to continue this growth,” said the union’s chief executive, Scott Walker.
The launch of the union’s biggest ever member recruitment campaign took place in East Lothian yesterday at Athelstaneford Mains, Drem, the farm of James Logan, one of the union’s champions.
Speaking at the event, Walker said that the strength of the union’s membership gave it the foundation to lobby for the industry – and would help not only face the immediate challenges but also to influence and shape the future for farming and crofting in Scotland.
He said: “We can continue grow our membership further and our champions highlight why those farmers and crofters who are yet to become a member should join us.”
He said that with membership standing at close to 9,000, the campaign would show the estimated 3,000-4,000 in the industry who had not yet joined the organisation what it was that the union did, why they should take up membership and help the vast majority of farmer and crofter members across Scotland who were helping to ensure the agricultural voice is heard.
“In short the Champions campaign promotes what NFUS does for farmers, crofters and all those with an interest in agriculture,” he said.
Walker said that seven “champions” from across Scotland, from different sectors of farming and crofting would front the campaign and videos, and promotional material would be showcased over the coming months in the press, on social media and across various channels to encourage people with an interest in agriculture to sign-up and become a member.
The day’s host, potato farmer James Logan commented: “I have been a union member for 35 years now and I find it beneficial to have the team on hand to help me, no matter what the situation may be – whether it’s a query with legislation and red tape or what’s happening with Brexit and how it will impact my business.
“We need support from farmers and crofters across Scotland to fully represent the views of those from every sector.”
bhenderson@farming.co.uk