A powerful sense of purpose filled the Royal Highland Centre this week as NFU Scotland and the Scottish Government welcomed over 40 voices from across the country to a summit devoted to the future of farming.
With a warm and hopeful energy, the Supporting the Next Generation of Scottish Farmers and Crofters Summit focused on three essential ingredients for success: land, finance and skills.
Opening the day, Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, spoke with conviction about the need to support new entrants and nurture the next wave of rural talent.
He confirmed the government’s continued backing for initiatives like the Practical Training Fund and the Land-based Pre-apprenticeship Programme, both aimed at building a more skilled and diverse agricultural workforce.
NFU Scotland’s Vice President, Duncan Macalister, called for swift action to back up these ambitions.
“We’re talking about the people who will grow Scotland’s food, care for our land and carry forward the life of our rural communities,” he said.
He pressed for immediate progress on several fronts, including the early opening of the Future Farming Investment Scheme, stronger moves towards a government-backed loan model, and the release of more public land for Starter Farms.
He also urged reform of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to give confidence to those seeking to let or lease land.
There was a genuine sense of momentum, especially around the push to build leadership through training, mentorship and smarter funding.
Stakeholders rallied behind the idea that the future must be shaped with intention and care, not left to chance.
Jillian Kennedy, Chair of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs, made a heartfelt appeal for urgency.
“Half of our agricultural workforce is over 50,” she said.
“If we’re serious about future-proofing farming, we need to act now.”
The summit ended not with applause but with a promise.
NFU Scotland and the Scottish Government will reconvene within six months to measure progress and make sure promises lead to real-world change.
There is no shortage of passion, talent or ideas.
What’s needed now is the commitment to carry them through.
