The annual Women in Agriculture Scotland breakfast took place on the Thursday of the Royal Highland Show, where chair, Carole Brunton welcomed 220 attendees to the sell-out event.

A trio of excellent speakers presented at the on this year’s theme was ‘Going Global; The Collective Power of Women in Agriculture’.

The packed presidents pavilion heard first from senior European policy adviser at the British Agriculture Bureau (BAB), Jenny Brunton.

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Jenny spoke about her role at BAB, the challenges of engaging in policy discussions and the exciting opportunities that the role has presented - including her involvement in the UNFCCC Farmer Constituency and the Copa-Cogeca all of which clearly demonstrate the importance of farmers across the world working together to ensure global policies are designed with farmers in mind.

Agriculture communicator and Nuffield Farming Scholar 2023, Claire Taylor, spoke about the importance of storytelling in farming. Claire also shared some stories from her recent Nuffield travels across Africa where she met farmers, policy experts, journalists, lobbying bodies, NGOs and private investors. Claire spoke about some women farmers she met and the valuable role they play in communities and the local economy.

The final keynote speaker was Nicole Duvall, program coordinator for the Mobile Dairy Classroom as part of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Nicole spoke about her experience introducing children to dairy farming and milk, and how communication with consumers is important. Nicole also spoke about the Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry (AGL) which develops leadership skills in agriculture and forestry professionals, there was a delegation from AGL also attending the show. Nicoles final words of advice to the women in the room wanting to progress in agriculture was ‘don’t try to be like a man, just be yourself’.

After the keynote speakers breakfast attendees heard from Mike Duxbury of the Inclusive Farm who provide an update on the new Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert which will be opening later this year in Tarland, Aberdeenshire. Caroline Millar also spoke briefly on the NFUS Diversity Discussion work that she is leading.

The breakfast ended with a short speech from cabinet secretary for rural affairs and islands, Mairi Gougeon who reconfirmed Scottish Governments commitment to support women in agriculture.