Farming

On 2 February 2022, the last meeting took place of the Outer Hebrides LEADER Local Action Group (LAG).

In its 30 years the LAG has overseen the allocation of £11.6 million LEADER European grant funding to innovative projects throughout the Outer Hebrides and additionally levered in nearly £23 million of match funding.

Do you keep chickens, ducks or geese? Make sure you know how to protect your birds from the risk of avian influenza.

Scotland's Census is now live and you should complete it by 20th March - you can easily do it online on the Scotland's Census website.

It is important that you contribute to the Census as the information you provide will be vital to help the Scottish Government make important decisions that affect people’s lives and their communities. 

On Thursday 3rd March the achievements of Scotland’s top land-based and aquaculture trainees were celebrated at Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills).

Agroforestry: trees mean business

In this webinar we will explore three hands-on ways to make money from your trees: fruit production, coppicing and timber production. Join us to hear from experts, farmers and crofters about their experience and ask your questions about:

  • Coppicing: how, why, when
  • Fruit trees: the right product for your project
  • Timber: reasons to embark on this long-term crop
  • Challenges and how to tackle them.

Scottish Forestry will also be present to answer your questions.

FREE and open to crofters, farmers, land managers and foresters. 

The Scottish Government published its Vision for Scottish Agriculture which sets out plans for Scotland to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

The Prince's Countryside Fund has opened for another round of applications on Thursday 3d March -  Apply here.

Grants of up to £25,000 are available for community-led projects that improve the long-term viability and resilience of the rural communities. 

A new National Strategy for Economic Transformation, underpinned by detailed analysis of Scotland’s economic strengths and weaknesses, has been published.

The strategy contains over 70 actions across five key priority programmes that have been identified as having the greatest potential to deliver economic growth that significantly outperforms the last decade within the current constitutional arrangements.

People who are part of, or wishing to enter a land or nature based industry, can apply for funding support to gain practical skills required to respond to the climate change challenge.

Supported by Scottish Government funding of up to £250,000 and administered by Lantra Scotland, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Practical Training Fund is open to applications from people aged 13 and over.

The next 10 years will be decisive in building a more resilient, entrepreneurial and fair economy, according to Economy Secretary Kate Forbes. 

Speaking ahead of the expected publication of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, Ms Forbes said the Scottish Government will work with businesses, trade unions, third sector and public bodies to seize Scotland’s economic potential.

Pages