Agri Culture Farm Advisory Service
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- Society & Culture
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Farming is a way of life, and is as much about the people as it is the land, crops and livestock. In this Agri Culture podcast series presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie and produced by Kerry Hammond for The Farm Advisory Service, we will uncover compelling and intriguing stories of a range of inspirational people from within the farming community. Join us in conversation to find out what drives them and their businesses, where they get their inspiration from, and what they love about the culture of agriculture.
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.
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Jenn Stewart: Successful Succession
Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Jenn Stewart. Jenn Stewart, partner & Head of Rural and Landed Estates at Johnston Carmichael, joined the company in 2019. Jenn has extensive experience in advising owner managed businesses and provides counsel to a wide-ranging portfolio of clients across multiple sectors. Jenn was brought up in her own family farming business and is now involved in her husband’s farming business. Jenn talks to us about the topic and theme of succession. A succession plan provides a level of certainty for everyone to ensure the ongoing sustainability and financial sustainability of the business, therefore the earlier this topic is brought to the table the better.
Related FAS Resources
You can get funding for succession planning through FAS. See Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Other Resources
Johnston Carmichael | Chartered Accountants
Jenn Stewart LinkedIn Jenn Stewart - Partner, Head of Rural & Landed Estates & Dundee Office Head - Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers | LinkedIn
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot
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Kirsten Williams: Let your determination grow stronger
Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Kirsten Williams. Kirsten is a livestock specialist with SAC Consulting and she also runs a farm business on Ranna Farm in Aberdeenshire with her husband Ross. They have sheep, cattle, and a turkey enterprise on their rented farm. They were new entrants, working hard to secure a tenancy and build up their business to support them and their family. Kirsten has a really positive outlook on life and she tells us how determination and hard work have helped them succeed.
FAS Resources
Women in Agriculture (WiA) Discussion Group at Farm Advisory Scotland (fas.scot)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot -
Glenrinnes Estate: A Tapestry of Tales
Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by some of the team at Glenrinnes Estate at the foot of Ben Rinnes in Moray. Estate manager Ali Laing tells us about the estate as a whole, and we are joined by head keeper Gordon Aitchison, distillery manager Martin Peroni, trainee farm worker Alex Shearer and head gardener Damon Powell. They all share their stories of working on Glenrinnes Estate and how their skills and enthusiasm come together to help run a successful community focused Scottish Estate.
Other Resources
Glenrinnes Organic Estate
Eight Lands Organic Spirits (eight-lands.com)
Pre-Apprenticeship | Ringlink Scotland
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot -
John Scott and Jock Gibson: Farmstrong Scotland
Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to John Scott and Jock Gibson from Farmstrong Scotland. Farmstrong Scotland is a new initiative which is inspired by Farmstrong New Zealand and Doug Avery’s visit to Scotland a couple of years ago. John and Jock tell us what Farmstrong is, why they want to be involved in it, what wellbeing means to them, and give examples of how they implement Farmstrong’s five steps to wellbeing in their own lives.
FAS Resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Agriculture | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
What's Stopping You - Wellbeing | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Other Resources
Farmstrong Scotland - Live Well, Farm & Croft Well
Step-Guide.pdf (farmstrongscotland.org.uk)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot
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Lawrence Martin : Opportunities through Apprenticeships
Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Lawrence Martin who was a new entrant to farming. After doing an HNC in agriculture at college, he started an apprenticeship with Lantra and SRUC. The apprenticeship gave him the opportunity to get out on farm and ultimately became a farm manager. He tells us of his farming journey, how the apprenticeship scheme works and how you can get involved in the scheme.
FAS Resources
Managing People | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Other Resources
Carbeth Home Farm – an an adventure in ecology, agriculture and tourism
From apprentice with no farming background to farm manager | The Scottish Farmer
Apprenticeships - Lantra
Study at SRUC | Apprenticeships
Modern Apprentice Lawrence Martin tells us how much he enjoys his career in farming - YouTube
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot -
Lucy Mitchell: Young Farmers
Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Lucy Mitchell. Lucy was an active member of Young Farmers from her early twenties and went on to become national chair of SAYFC from 2022 to 2023. Lucy has recently handed over this role, and she tells us about what Young Farmers is, what sort of opportunities it gives young people, and what her year as national chair was like.
Related Resources:
Lucy Mitchell | LinkedIn
The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs | SAYFC
You searched for lucy mitchell - Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (sayfc.org)
Scottish Rural Leadership Programme | Elevator UK
Challenge of Rural Leadership - Worshipful Company of Farmers (farmerslivery.org.uk)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot
Customer Reviews
Sammi
Great interview with Sammi. Her story is truly inspiring and what she has achieved through adversity
Inspired!
Loved the episode with Sammi. Gripping conversation. Bowled over by her positivity.