The Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) awards have been presented to stalwarts of the North East farming community in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the sector.
Proceedings also included the unveiling of this year’s Good Farming Practice Award winner, supported by Aberdeenshire Council. Entries are assessed against a range of criteria including stock, crops, equipment, environmental management, enterprise, and general impression.
This year’s recipient was CJ Grant and Partners, Kindrought, Strichen whose hard work and innovative practices caught the eye of this year’s judge, Pete Watson from Durris during his on-farm visit. He was impressed by Craig and Claire Grant’s fully integrated mixed enterprise which includes laying hens, combinable crops, cattle, and sheep and they were congratulated on their win at Friday’s lunch by Aberdeenshire Provost, Judy Whyte.
Receiving the Press and Journal/RNAS shield for services by a public figure or personality to agriculture this year was director of food, drink, and agriculture at Opportunity North East (ONE), Peter Cook whilst the Aberdeen and Northern Marts “Local Award” was won by Towns and Carnie Ltd partner Gordon Towns.
The David Argo Award to an “unsung hero” working within the agricultural sector who merits recognition was presented to former Norvite Animal Nutrition feed adviser, Iain MacDonald, and the SRUC award to someone 35 years and under who has shown significant achievement and contribution in agriculture was won by Ben Lowe from Newburgh, Ellon.
The Johnston Carmichael-sponsored awards for a farmers’ son or daughter working at home to Mitchell MacGillivray from Glenlivet and the student employed off farm to Lyndsey Brown from Midmar.
The agricultural apprentice engineer award was won by Reece Marr who is currently studying a land-based engineering extended diploma with Ravenhill (Dyce).
The event also provided the ideal opportunity for the RNAS to formally pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of secretary/treasurer Alison Argo who has stepped down from her dual role after 15 years and was thanked with a presentation on behalf of the organisation.
Commenting on this year’s event, RNAS president Alan Cumming said: “This event is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our events diary and represents the culmination of our busy calendar year. It is, therefore, a fitting time to come together and celebrate some of the excellent work that takes place within the sector every day.
“By shining a light on some of the people who make our industry tick, we hope that others will be motivated and inspired by their examples, and we extend our warmest congratulations and thanks to everyone who was involved in this year’s event.”
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