Royal Northern Agricultural Society GFP Awards
Provost Bill Howatson attended the annual Royal Northern Agricultural Society Good Farming Practice Awards on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, held in the Buchan heartlands at Ednie Farms, St Fergus.
In the fine autumn sunshine, Peter Robertson and his wife Dr Elaine Booth, partners in the 1,200acre mixed farm business, Ednie Farms, were honoured to receive the GFP Award, having been selected from a strong list of nominees by well-known agriculturalist Jim Calder.
In presenting the awards, Provost Howatson said:
“Aberdeenshire Council is delighted to have supported the Good Farming Practice Awards over the last three years.
“The aim of the Awards is to promote and encourage good practice on farms throughout North East Scotland. The businesses selected for the Awards, while different in terms of scale, enterprise mix and land types, all demonstrate clear strategic aims and excellent management practice, through their livestock and cropping enterprises, environmental management and business development objectives.
“Aberdeenshire Council is fully aware of the importance of the farming industry in the North East of Scotland in terms of agricultural output, stewardship of the land and the significant contribution generated within the rural economy by the industry.
“The nominees for the Good Farming Practice Awards have all demonstrated entrepreneurship, sound business management and ambition for success, so essential as major objectives for future sustainability.
“Based on these criteria, Jim Calder has undertaken a detailed and full appraisal of the nominated businesses – not a task for the faint-hearted!
“Peter and Elaine have demonstrated total commitment to the successful development their farm business. The dedication and consideration of the environmental management of this sizeable mixed unit is clearly evident as one approaches the farm. They have demonstrated both innovation and tenacity in the progression of the farm business and development of innovative farm enterprises.
“Congratulations are also extended to the other nominees, Ian Davidson of Moss-side, Oldmeldrum and James and Kathleen Masson of Chapelfield, St Cyrus, who receive commendations in recognition of their excellent good farming practice.”
Thanking Provost Howatson for the Council’s continued support towards the initiative, RNAS President, David MacClelland, said he considered the awards as the Oscars for the farming industry in the North East and that the RNAS Directors were keen to promote the initiative further throughout rural communities, demonstrating the excellent standard of farming in the area.
