SEBG News Archive
Is there a future in farming?
13th March 2006Farmers will be asked to look at the reasons why they farm at the last in a series of farm business development seminars held jointly by the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG).
Ken Rundle, BBC Scotland’s experienced farming correspondent will ask the tough question and encourage farmers to consider whether they have a future in farming: “Before thinking about farm business development, people must understand why they are in the business and what it is they want to achieve.
“Farmers need to be clear about what they are taking on and be sure it is the right thing for them. There is no magic bullet - but if farmers have the commitment to make the business work, then they can look to the future to see what opportunities they can build on.”
Attendees will also hear from farmers who have gone through the process that Ken describes and developed other businesses on their farms alongside their core farming work.
The seminar will be held in the Assembly Rooms in Low Parks Museum in Hamilton on Tuesday, 21st March and will be chaired by David Gwyther of SEBG. Other speakers will include SEERAD Area Project Manager (Western) Marion Currie and three farmers who have developed and expanded their businesses.
They are:
Ian Telfer of Glengarnock, who diversified away from dairying to develop a butchery processing plant and Farm Shop using SEERAD Processing and Marketing and Farm Business Development Scheme Grants.
Bob & Kenny Johnstone of Crawfordjohn - who set up an incinerator business dealing with the disposal of sheep, calf and small animal carcasses.
Hugh Woodburn, a dairy farmer from Galston, who now makes ice cream.
Other guests will include Ronnie Smith, Chief Executive, Business Gateway Lanarkshire and representatives from South Lanarkshire Council’s Rural Regeneration Team.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie: "The Scottish Executive is fully committed to increasing prosperity and the quality of life in rural Scotland. Our policy of encouraging farm business development has played a major role in supporting farming families and rural communities.
"The support Farm Business Development Scheme and the Agricultural Business Development Scheme provides can be crucial not only to the success of a new business but also to the provision of services within our rural areas, therefore helping to support the rural economy."
SEBG Deputy Chairman Roddy Jackson added: “Previous seminars proved that there is an appetite amongst farmers to learn how to develop and diversify their businesses. SEBG has long championed the effort to secure a vibrant agricultural sector in Scotland and believes passionately that rural businesses must actively look for and take advantage of market opportunities. These seminars can assist farmers in that.”
For further information contact:
Gordon Robertson at Media House 0131 555 1015
