15 January 2009

15 January 2009
Scottish farmers urged to submit ideas for sustainability Award

Each year, the Future Farmer Award supports a farmer who is managing land in ways which promote sustainability and who would like to share their ideas with others. The 2009 Future Farmer Award is now open for entries, with a closing date of the 13th April.



The winning Scottish farmer will be awarded £4,000 and a package of practical support to help them communicate their ideas to other land managers. The cash can be used either to fund a specific project or simply to allow the winner take time away from their farm work to speak at events or host farm walks.

The Award was set up to encourage creative thinking and positive action on sustainability in Scottish agriculture. It aims to help farmers learn from each other about practical ways of making land management more sustainable - things which can be seen working on the ground on Scottish farms.

The Award organisers are looking for ideas which promote sustainability and which could be taken up by other land managers. The ideas do not have to be unique but the winner will be someone who is doing something practical on the ground and who is prepared commit time over the year to sharing their knowledge and experience.

The Award is able to support a wide range of initiatives, for example:

    * Managing soils to reduce flooding risk
    * Cutting CO2 emissions on-farm and in supply chains
    * Integrating native woodland management with grazing livestock
    * Choosing crops varieties which are resilient to wet summers
    * Developing new ideas for productive and sustainable management of hill ground
    * Running farm machinery on farm-produced bio-fuel
    * Creating the right conditions for commercially useful 'wild' plants to grow

Other ideas are welcome and anyone who is responsible for managing productive land in Scotland is eligible, whether they are an owner, tenant, crofter or employee. In 2009 the organisers are particularly interested in ideas which combine environmental sustainability with economic advantage.

Land managers can apply on their own behalf by submitting a few paragraphs about why they would like to enter the Award via the website at www.futurefarmer.org.uk. Alternatively, anyone can nominate a farmer who they think should be considered for the Award.

The Future Farmer Award is an initiative of the Murray Trust and has practicle support from NFUScotland.
Full details about the Award are at www.futurefarmer.org.uk along with information about last year's winner, Whitmuir Farm, including photos and a video clip. Whitmuir Farm will conclude their year of being the Future Farmer Award winners by hosting an open day in May.

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[1] Photos on the Future Farmer website are copyright-free and can be lifted from there.
[2] The Elizabeth Murray Charitable Trust has its roots in a generosity of spirit and deep connection to the land of Scotland, running through several generations of a family. Their story is on the Future Farmer Award website.



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