Celebrating the success of Scottish agriculture is important for many reasons, not the least of which is to give heart to an industry that seems punch drunk from being constantly at the end of a barrage of criticism from those who would wish this great industry harm.
The Scottish Agriculture Awards are all about highlighting why many of the brickbats thrown at farming are wrong and unjustified. This is an industry that manages to walk a fine tightrope between feeding the nation AND being environmentally conscientious – that alone is worth celebrating.
But to achieve both of those aims needs great farmers and the catalyst for these awards was to highlight and reward those who go above and beyond to really care about what they produce and the way that they do it. Some would have us believe that farming is the biggest pollutant on the planet and as we know, that’s simply not the case.
READ MORE | Scottish Agriculture Awards now accepting nominations
Of course, there are some real environmental concerns about agriculture – but it is not alone in that – and there are some fantastic free thinkers out there who strive to minimise the environmental impact of farming. The fact is, many farmers are good at what they do and that is why we should all celebrate that excellence in Glasgow, on October 24.
As we head into our second year of these awards, it’s important to again bring forth a host of worthy winners for each of the categories. In many ways, that’s down to you – whether you wish to self-nominate or nominate someone you know. We all know a ‘good farmer’ but have succumbed to that good old Scottish reticence to blow our own trumpet, or somebody else’s trumpet for that matter.
Time to throw off the doubts and make this again a focal point for making sure that farming’s voice is heard. And, in a world dominated by ‘influencers’, let the Scottish farming industry choose those who encourage others to aspire to greatness – there should be no stigma to celebrating success!
As well as lauding the efforts of some of our brilliant farmers, we also deliberately set out to keep it a strictly ‘farming’ affair – hence why the Sheep Game’s Cammy Wilson was chosen as host for the event. The thinking was that there is no point in paying exorbitant amounts to buy in celebrity hosts when the industry itself has an abundance of talent at its disposal – and it was great to see a host so comfortable with his audience.
So, one year on from the inaugural awards ceremony in the Crowne Plaza, in Glasgow, we can reflect on what a brilliant night it was and to energise our efforts to make this coming one even bigger and better. Everything about it was positive and for this year, it is important for sponsors and interested parties to gear up now to be part of what is shaping up to be another great ceremony, so make it a ‘must go to’ entry in your calendar for October 24, 2024.
Even though it’s to be held at one of the biggest event hotels in Glasgow, The DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central, we anticipate a very high demand for tables, so it will be important to put your marker down soon if you want to be part of this truly magnificent ceremony.
I urge everyone to put their thinking caps on and nominate yourself or anyone that you think merits being part of what is again promising to be a celebration of Scottish farming excellence. You can do so by visiting https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/agriawards/ and then decide which category best suits your nominee(s). Please do so before the July 11, 2024, deadline. Hopefully, I’ll see you there ...
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