A TEAM of Scottish agricultural women will attend the Women in Food and Agriculture Summit in Germany this summer, thanks to funding from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland,

Taking place in Frankfurt on June 14 and 15 June, the event will give Scotland's six candidates the opportunity to network and learn from other women working across the worldwide food and agricultural sector.

The candidates supported by the RHASS award, went through an application process to outline how the summit will benefit them and the sector, and will report back upon their return detailing key outcomes and actions which will support their business and the wider sector.

The successful candidates are –

  • Alix Ritchie, who farms in Perthshire with husband John and is Health and Education Manager for Quality Meat Scotland, with a passion for educating the public about where their food comes from;
  • Judith Taylor, who runs a mixed farm in partnership with her father near Turriff in Aberdeenshire. After studying agriculture at Aberdeen University and working for a short time at the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID), Judith set up her own farm consultancy business;
  • Chloe Stewart, a 22-year-old sixth generation crofter from Gills, Caithness. Having graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture last year, Chloe is excited to learn more about what can be done to help the crofting community be more sustainable and efficient;
  • Heather Wildman, although originally from Cumbria, has lived in Scotland for over 21 years, and is managing director of Saviour Associates, which focuses on helping individuals and businesses identify their goals, mission, vision and values; and how to build up the right team with the right skills to achieve and deliver them;
  • Lesley Mitchell, who farms in partnership with her husband and son on their organic beef, venison and arable farm near Hawick in the Scottish Borders. She also works off the farm part time as a Quality Assurance Specialist with Quality Meat Scotland;
  • Carole Brunton, who lives with husband Ian at mixed sheep and arable Balmonth Farm in the East Neuk of Fife. Working for RHET as Project Coordinator in Fife for almost 20 years, Carole is also on the Women in Agriculture Scotland Committee as well as being President of Fife & Kinross Young Farmers.

RHASS chairman, Bill Gray, said: “RHASS is delighted to offer this opportunity to the six successful candidates. The Summit will be an invaluable platform for them to connect with like-minded individuals from across the globe, share best practice and be inspired.

“We are confident they will return from the Summit with fresh ideas to benefit their organisations, businesses and the sector as a whole in Scotland and look forward to hearing all about their experiences.”

Chair of the RHASS Public Relations & Education committee, Susan Lawrie, added: “The calibre of applicants was inspiring, and those who were selected represent a great mix of different agricultural backgrounds from all over Scotland.

“We hope that other organisations will join us in sending their own representatives over to the Summit later this year so that we can see sector-wide benefits, and we can’t wait to hear about everyone’s experiences.”