Q. What were the main themes and topics for this year’s Agri & Rural Affairs Conference?

A. Our theme this year was ‘Back to Basics’ and the idea behind this was to try to engage with younger members. To let them see what we get up to as a committee, put on engaging events that draws their attention and let them go on a lot of different farms tours.

Q. What’s the best part of being chair of the Agri & Rural Affairs committee?

A. Its great getting all these folk together with this weekend being a prime example of that. Being able to go away for a weekend and learn that other people might have tried something you have and that they aren’t getting on well with it either. It’s about taking home messages and taking home ideas that I think it’s been great for.

Q. In your role as chair what are some of the ideas and events you have been a part of organising and plan to oversee before you step down?

A. I have helped organise the conference and we are in talks about organising a short-haul study tour at the start of the year. We announced at the conference our long-haul study tour to Texas, which is happening next year, my vice Fraser Graham has done a lot of fantastic work for that, and I will stand by him, to help advise as best I can when I step down. We are looking to get some more farm safety tours organised too given its such a hot topic now.

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Q. With the pressures young farmers face – climate change, policy shifts and market volatility – what’s the one thing you think could make a real difference for the future of rural communities?

A. We have faced a lot of challenges. I think from a rural community point of view we have a very strong bond throughout, so having that community there to support you and bounce ideas off is fantastic. We’ve seen that so much this week with everything going on, if there is no food there is no future, so its important that supporting each other continues. It’s as simple as that.

Q. If you had the chance to sit down with the Scottish Government and advise them on rural issues for one hour, what would be your top three key points to make?

A. Access to land is a real issue, and the issue of getting young folk into the industry. We’ve also seen some of the best prices for beef and lamb and I would like to highlight the work that we’ve been doing and the impact that’s had on people in showing where their food comes from.

Q. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering becoming a young farmer today?

A. Do it! You have nothing to lose, if you don’t try you don’t know. There is so much out there that you can gain from joining and you don’t have to be a farmer become a part of it. It is a great social hub, and you can make friends for life.