IT'S well documented that the route into farming for those without family ties, isn't always an easy one.

For Lawrence Martin, who explains that he 'always felt like farming was in his DNA', not being brought up with an agricultural background, certainly hasn't held him back.

"They won't mind me saying, that the closest my parents got to farming, was watching Countryfile", Lawrence told The SF. "But I just love everything about it and always have.

"I couldn't tell you what first drew me to it, it was always what I wanted to do, and I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I love land management and producing food, and I love the culture that comes with farming, and the way of life."

With his heart set on his career path, Lawrence embarked on his HNC in agriculture at the SRUC's Oatridge campus. Before and during his course, he worked part-time at Carbeth Home Farm, near Killearn, and in a happy twist of fate, that is now where he is the full-time farm manager.

"I got the opportunity to do my modern apprenticeship through LANTRA and SRUC, at the farm, so I completed that. I then worked an office job for Sky, while continuing to work part-time at the farm, but in the end I took the leap, and I'm now in my third year working there full-time as farm manager."

"I got married, I quit my steady job, I moved to the farm, and we had a baby," continued Lawrence. "I made the decision to try full-time farming, so I had to take the leap of faith and try it, and so far, so good."

Lawrence has continued his connection with LANTRA, after winning Learner of the Year, as a student. He is now a LANTRA ambassador, and is lined up to speak at this years' LANTRA awards. He spends his spare time helping them with promotional work, and careers advice. He describes himself as having done, "umpteen" courses, with them.

Now 33, he lives at Carbeth with his wife, Ella, who is a vet nurse, and their 15-month-old son, Oliver. "I count myself very lucky that I found Carbeth, and was able to get a start", Lawrence explained.

"I've been here seven years overall. It's taken me time to get into the position I am now and take the jump, but I am so happy I did. It's a brilliant life for my family."

Lawrence also credits his SRUC course with helping guide him into farming.

He said: "I was very, very new to farming at that point, so it allowed me to to 1) meet people and 2) it gave me the fundamental knowledge of what I needed to do, but also showed me how much I had to learn."

When he came to Carbeth, it was a sheep farm, but is now a mixed beef and sheep enterprise. Lawrence credits College with giving him a more diverse exposure to farming.

He works with Daye Tucker, who owns Carbeth, along with her husband, and with their advancing years, and the their very open levels of communication, they are very aware of how Lawrence looks to his future.

"I do keep an eye out for tenancies, for a farm of my own," he said. "I have to. Daye and I are both realistic about it as I have to keep an eye towards my families future, long-term."

He continued: "A lot of people ask how it works with Daye and I both working on the farm, with me being the farm manager, but I do have my own floating flock within the main flock, and I have my own herd of Galloway cattle, that I'm keen to build up."

He is under no illusions has to how important both his HNC and his modern apprenticeship have been, and how would champion both to anyone keen for a leg up in the industry.

"If I had to give students any advice, it would be that you will only get out of your course, what you put in. Don't sit there and wait for information or opportunities to be given to you."

"If you put in the time and the effort, you'll get that back in return," he concluded.