NFU Scotland is encouraging young people making a special impact within rural industries to enter its annual Young Achiever Excellence Award which is sponsored by NFU Mutual and have extended the deadline to Wednesday 3 January 2007 to allow time for more applications!

Modern farming is constantly evolving and having to adapt to more and more technology and scientific advances.  In addition, the average age of Scottish farmers is in the high fifties and so attention is now turning to the younger generation who will be the farmers of the future.  Pressure is being placed on educational establishments and on Government to encourage young farmers as much as possible and the NFU Scotland/NFU Mutual Young Achiever award aims to add to this encouragement.

If you know of anyone who stands out from the crowd, now is the time to nominate them or to enter yourself!  There is a prize of £1000 up for grabs and the only prerequisites for entry are that the applicant or a family member must be a member of NFUS and the applicant him/herself must be 35 years of age or under.

Steve Mitchell of Puddledub Buffalo won the Young Achiever Award last year. Steve runs an enterprise, alongside that of his uncle, on the family farm, running a breeding herd of water buffalo, in addition to a herd of cattle. He supplies the unique buffalo beef directly to the public through farmers markets and plans to further develop the business into milk production and the making of buffalo mozzarella cheese.   Since his win, Steve has gone on to win additional prestigious awards and achieve further business success – much of this thanks to the publicity he received after winning the award.

Anna Davies, NFU Scotland Communications Manager, who co-ordinates the awards, said:

“Winners of this award receive not only a financial prize but also invaluable media coverage which can only be a good thing for fledgling businesses!  NFU Scotland aims to do all it can to give young people a head start in the industry and one of the best ways to get recognition or coverage for your business is to enter this award.  Can you really afford not to?”

NOTES:

• Winners receive a cash prize of £1000 and a plaque to commemorate their win, in addition to being treated to a night at Dunblane Hydro Hotel for themselves and their partner.

• For details on how to apply to the award or nominate someone else, please contact Anna Davies on 0131 472 4020 or anna.davies@nfus.org.uk.  The deadline for applications is WEDNESDAY 3 JANUARY 2007.

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