A packed panel discussion, 'The Future of Farming: Hope in Hard Times', brought together farmers, students and industry professionals at Thainstone last month, highlighting the opportunities and challenges currently facing Scottish agriculture.
The event was organised by fourth-year agriculture students Lucy Stephen, Calum Taylor, Anna Craig and David Massie as part of their Communications in Agriculture module, attracting over 130 attendees and demonstrating strong interest in open discussion within the sector.
Sponsors for the evening included Virgin Money, Norvite, NFU Mutual (Aberdeen and Laurencekirk branches) and Leiper & Summers Accountants.
The panel focused on three key themes: entering farming without inheritance, innovation on farm, and building resilient businesses. Gordon Whiteford of Lower Mill of Tynet near Buckie shared his journey in 'Finding a Way In: Building a Farming Future Without Inheritance', describing how he began with a single rented field and a hen shed, faced challenges securing finance without assets, and eventually secured a Crown Estate tenancy. He has since expanded into a successful farm shop and taken on neighbouring land.
Jim Logan of Romavale Livestock spoke on 'Making Farming Pay: Building a Resilient Business', recounting the difficulty of leaving the family farm after receiving notice that the senior partner would retire. He and his family secured 30 hectares as a new base and now operate a livestock business across 18 holdings, tupping 2400 ewes and bulling 170 cows.
Symon Jacobsen of Grange Farm, Kinneff, highlighted practical approaches to innovation and resilience. Alongside his arable farming business, Symon runs Grange Farm Machinery, and has diversified into investments such as part of the Balmakewan fishing beat and a glamping pod. His message was clear: alternative income streams can strengthen farm businesses and support long-term sustainability.
The evening also addressed mental health in farming. Sandy Garvock of Men United and FarmTalk spoke about the importance of support networks in rural communities, a contribution that resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom stayed afterwards to continue conversations over refreshments.
Reflecting on the event, David McClelland, technical director at Norvite, said the students’ professionalism and ambition made supporting the event an easy decision. “The three speakers spoke with refreshing honesty about the challenges and opportunities they have faced, and the sell-out audience clearly drew real inspiration from their experiences,” he said.
Philip Wrigglesworth, SRUC lecturer, praised the students’ organisation and confidence. “They hand-picked excellent guest speakers, organised the venue and catering, secured sponsorship, and confidently led discussion in front of a large audience while being assessed. It was a brave project, and they did a fantastic job of showcasing themselves while delivering something the audience found genuinely interesting. They might even land up with a decent grade…”
