It’s the spectacular home to the family of King Robert the Bruce, but Broomhall House will soon welcome women farmers looking “tae think again” about how they run their business.
The theme of this year’s Women in Agriculture Scotland spring conference is diversification, and the group was delighted to accept Lord Bruce’s offer to host the event at his ancestral home in Fife.
Taking place on Tuesday 16 April, the event will feature a presentation from Professor Sally Shortall from the University of Newcastle, who will discuss a Scottish Government Taskforce report into women in agriculture.
As part of this research, a survey revealed that more than a quarter (29 per cent) of participants had expressed an interest in developing farm diversification activities in the next five years.
With this in mind, a Fife farmer well known for his diversification success will be among the speakers at Broomhall House.
Steven Mitchell will talk about how he went from rearing cattle to running Scotland’s largest buffalo farm and butchery.
Rebecca Dawes from Jane Craigie Marketing will talk about LEAF Open Farm Sunday, which will see hundreds of farms around the country open their doors to the public on Sunday 9 June.
Matthew Currie from Savills, meanwhile, will talk to delegates about farm business planning and resilience.
June Geyer, Chair of Women in Agriculture Scotland, said: “This will be our fourth spring conference and we’re looking forward to another successful event, this time in the historic surroundings of Broomhall House.
“The event is open to anyone with an interest in farming, and those who are thinking about diversifying in particular. For women working in Scottish agriculture, our events are an excellent opportunity to network, to share experiences and to exchange ideas.”
Lord Bruce said: “It is good to see that the role of women in farming is finally being recognised in Scotland. Inevitably they will bring fresh insights to the challenge of diversification. My family has played a prominent part in the rural economy in this part of Scotland for over 400 years.
“Although we have recently diversified into tourism and hospitality, the estate has always been a broadly-based enterprise – and on several occasions it has been run by strong-willed women.”
The Women in Agriculture Scotland committee comprises representatives from RHASS, Royal Bank of Scotland, SAOS, SAYFC, RSABI, Scotland’s Rural College, NFUS, Turcan Connell, Savills and WES to support women across rural Scotland, allowing them to share experiences of land-based industries; seek advice and skills-based learning and access networking and peer group support.
Women in Agriculture Scotland’s Spring 2019 event takes place at Broomhall House, Charlestown, Dunfermline, KY11 3DU, on Tuesday 16 April (10.30am – 3.30pm).
Click here to sign up.
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