Youth

Pupils from Inchture Primary School in Perthshire recently visited the factory where Mackie's Crisps are produced.

The trip to the factory at Taypack, near Errol, was organised by the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) as part of their mission to give every school pupil in Scotland the chance to learn about food, farming and the countryside.

Do you know an inspirational young farmer who has a real passion for the countryside and deserves reognition?

Countryfile's resident farmer Adam Henson is looking for nominations for Countryfile's Young Farmer Award 2017. If you know a young farmer who stands out because of their determination, character or sheer hard work, why not put them forward for the award?

Companies in eleven rural areas are to receive more support to help them take on Modern Apprentices

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed eligible areas for the Rural Supplement on the first day of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, March 6. 

She said:

“Rural communities are vital to Scotland’s economy so it is important they get the support to recruit and retain employees, including Modern Apprentices.

Schoolchildren in Perth and Kinross are taking part in a project encouraging classes to grow and harvest their own potatoes from scratch.

The Mr Jazzy Potato Project, organised by the Perth & Kinross Initiative of the Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET) and sponsored by WCF Horticulture, aims to show the children the gradually unfolding story of the potato and how food and farming are linked.

Information from the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) workshop on social inclusion is now available online.

The 'Social Hubs in Rural Europe' event took place in Brussels on 9 February 2017. 

At the workshop, people from across Europe discussed ways to respond to demographic change and promote the social inclusion of migrants and refugees, Roma, youth and women in rural areas, including through arts and culture.

A recent event in Brussels brought together young farmers and representatives of National Rural Networks from across Europe.

The workshop on 'Generational Renewal through Rural Development' took place on 25 January 2017 and was organised jointly by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) and CEJA - the European Council for Young Farmers.

Watch our short video from the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Agri & Rural Affairs Committee conference 'Cultivating Excellence'.

Young farmers from across the country gathered in Aberdeenshire in November 2016 to learn from industry experts, award-winning farmers and each other.

In our three-minute video from the event, you can find out more about the conference and why it's one of the highlights of the young farmers' calendar.

Over 100 members from Young Farmers's Clubs across Scotland gathered for the third annual Agri and Rural Affairs Conference recently.

The 'Cultivating Excellence' event run by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs took place from 19 to 21 November in Aberdeen.

A new report outlines a plan to increase the number of starter opportunities for new entrants to farming.

The ten-point action plan aims to kick start a new generation of farmers by dramatically increasing the number of starter opportunities on public land.