We have joined forces with the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) to engage Young Farmers in educating the next generation about the industry. As a result of this partnership, members from across the country have been recruited to serve as RHET ambassadors.
These Ambassadors will have a place on their local RHET committee and will be involved in volunteering at and planning for events, fundraising and assisting with projects. They will also provide a connection between the committee and their local young farmers district, reporting back to the young farmers and encouraging fellow members to get involved and volunteer with RHET.
The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) working in partnership with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) is an extremely valuable initiative. This collaboration creates a pathway for young farmers to become educators and advocates for Scottish agriculture. The focus on educating 5-18 year olds about food, farming, and the countryside through people who are actively involved in the sector brings authenticity to the learning experience. This as a long-term investment - encouraging these young farmers to stay involved with RHET even after their time with SAYFC ends. Young farmers can share real, current experiences and demonstrate modern farming practices first-hand. Their practical knowledge would make these visits especially authentic and engaging. Having young farmers involved in fundraising could help strengthen the connection between the farming community and local educational initiatives. SAYFC is a fantastic organisation with enthusiastic young people who are the future to the success of RHET throughout Scotland and we very much look forward to working with them in the coming years.Carole Brunton, (RHET Ambassador Programme Lead)
Meet our Ambassadors
RHET has 13 Countryside Initiatives across Scotland, each run by a committee of volunteers, with activities organised by an area RHET Project Coordinator.
I am Bethany Swanson. I am 18 years old and currently living at home on our family farm in Caithness with my parents and younger brother. I work in a local shop in Thurso as well as the farm with any spare time I have taken up with young farmers.
I have always been passionate about farming from a young age. We run 350 sheep, 20 of which are my pedigree blue texels. We also run 130 Suckler Cattle as well.
Alongside the farm I also have my own Shetland pony stud.
Young farmers is something that I have been interested in joining since I was a bairn. I joined Forss when I was 14 and ยฝ, fast forward 4 years and I am now the secretary of both Forss YFC and Caithness district young farmers.
In the last year alone, I have competed at the national tug of war at the highland show, junior stockmanship at the highland show, National Cattle Dressing, North Sheep Dressing just to name a few.
I am looking forward to working alongside RHET
I live on the family farm in Aberdeenshire where we farm cows, sheep and some arable ground. I enjoy helping out on the farm (especially at lambing time!) and when I am not too busy at university, training to be a primary teacher. I am in my last year of university and Iโm looking forward to bringing my own personal experiences as well as any knowledge I gain, while volunteering with RHET, into the classroom with me. I am especially keen to teach the younger years and helping them learn about the environment they live in and how important farmers are in our society.
My name is Vicki Elder and come from a mixed farm near Turriff. I studied agriculture at SRUC in Aberdeen and now work as an agricultural technician at SAC Consulting. I am an active member of Turriff and District Young Farmerโs and especially enjoy representing the club at shows and engaging with the local community. I also love anything arty from creating industrial displays to bale art, as well as travelling across the country to compete in netball tournaments. Iโm excited to begin working with RHET and help educate children about food, farming and the countryside.
Hi, I’m Beth, and I’m delighted to have recently become a RHET Ambassador. Originallyย from Forfar, I have spent the last few years in Edinburgh studying for an honourโs degree in Rural Business Management. Alongside my studies I have been lucky enough to experience the diversity of Scotland’s rural sector, becoming involved in a variety of work from soft fruit to livestock and cereals. Now based back at home, I have recently startedย my professional career as a graduateย rural surveyor, working across all aspects of rural land management, in Angus and beyond. In my spare time, I enjoy my involvement with local young farmers club, Forfar JAC, with stock judging, sports competitions and socialising at events being highlights of my calendar.
My name is Lois and I am a member of Forfar JAC. I have grown up on our family farm and enjoyed getting involved with the cattle. I started my own small heard of Aberdeen Angus cattle and enjoy working with these in my spare time. I am a primary school teach-er which made me initially apply for the RHET ambassador the first year. Through my job I have seen first hand how important the work of RHET is and wanted to share this with my colleagues. I applied again to be an ambassador as I wanted to get more in-volved and support my local CI.
I am originally from Ireland, where I studied agriculture at college before I came over to Scotland to work at a dairy farm near Dumfries. I now spend most of my time working as assistant manager at a dairy farm just outside Dundee which I thoroughly enjoy. Outside of this I enjoy spending time with my husband Callum along with our dogs Frankie and Gunner.
I am currently vice chair of Strathmore JAC where I have been a member for the last 2 years.
I am very excited to join RHET as an ambassador which will allow me the opportunity to share my knowledge with the next generation of farmers.
My name is Leigh, I grew up near Bathgate but now live in Perthshire with my ponies.ย I work for Rural Services which is an agricultural machinery ring and also drive lorries.ย In my free time, I am Chair for Banks if Tay Young Farmers and assistant secretary for district.ย Also enjoy getting into the countryside hiking or with the horses, I’m also involved with some local agricultural shows and societies.
Originally, Iโm not from a farming background but grew up around them and wanted to learn more.ย I worked at a local feed store and then later joined Young Farmers to get the opportunity to meet like-minded people and to learn more about the industry with the opportunity for new experiences.
I am looking forward to getting involved with RHET to personally learn more but to encourage more people into the industry, especially those from non-farming backgrounds.
I have grown up on my familyโs beef and sheep farm in the west of Fife and have had a keen interest in agriculture since I was very young – I have been enduring (and enjoying) lambing seasons for as long as I can remember! I joined West Fife Young Farmers Club in 2020 and now four years later I am Secretary of the club. I love getting involved in Young Farmers competitions and events, especially ones that involve sports, crafts, and baking. I studied Rural Business Management at Scotlandโs Rural College in Edinburgh. I graduated this year, and I have since started my new job as a Graduate Rural Surveyor. Iโm excited to take on the role as a Young Farmer Ambassador for Fife, to link two fantastic organisations, and to be part of educating the next generation on all thingโs food and farming.
I come from a family-run dairy and arable farm, milking a herd of 130 Friesian Holstein cows and cultivating 200 acres of spring barley and winter wheat. My mum and I share a passion for raising the replacement heifers for the herd, as well as Aberdeen Angus and British Blue calves. I’m a final-year Rural Business Management student at SRUC, which I very much enjoy, and look forward to completing my four years.
I’m actively involved in Callander Young Farmers, where Iโm currently Assistant Secretary. I enjoy all aspects of being a young farmer and everything the club has to offer. Recently, I participated in the Glasgow Half Marathon alongside five other Callander Young Farmers, raising funds for SAYFC’s Big Build campaign and McLaren High School’s breakfast club. Our goal was to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to a nutritious start to their day. I’m eager to contribute to the RHET team, especially being an ambassador and I am excited about the opportunities this role will bring.
Iโm Ellis Kinloch, an ASN Primary Teacher. I have been involved in Young Farmers for 11 now and I would love to bring a stronger relationship between RHET and ASN establishments. I think it is really important that children get a proper education on farming and where food comes from and would love to put my farming background and professional career together.
I am Jennifer Hewitt, a 26-year-old who works for the NHS as a Specialist Physiotherapist during the day and also work part-time as the Physiotherapist for Biggar Rugby Club. I may not be involved in agriculture in my day to day working life, but I have been brought up on and around the farming community. This has led to me being heavily involved with Lanark Young Farmers over the years where I have progressed through the committee to Secretary and now sitting as assistant secretary for Lanarkshire District Young Farmers.
I am looking forward to working with RHET Clyde to help promote the amazing industry that is agriculture, and the benefits that come with it to the younger generations.
I am Amy Douglas, I grew up on a dairy, beef and sheep farm in Lanarkshire. I am a member of Carluke YF and have been for 11 years now, I have sat on Carlukeโs committee for a few years. Young farmers has always been a passion of mine and I love every aspect of it. I am keen to get involved in all young farmer events.
I have volunteered with RHET for a few years now and l have been involved in farm talks on my own farm and school talks in different schools over Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow. I have taken part in RHET Clydeโs Food and Farming days for the past few years. My Grandad was once a RHET Clyde chairman and l remember his enthusiasm and enjoyment from being involved. I am really excited to carry on his keen interest and l am eager to continue to promote the benefits of RHET to others.
Hello, my name is Jean Andrew. Iโm 22 years old and work as an assistant scientist after graduating with an MSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Strathclyde. I am currently the club secretary for Beith & District YFC and the Ayrshire County Rally assistant secretary. I am also currently training for a half marathon and enjoy regular swimming. I also enjoy helping out on my family dairy and beef farm. I look forward to helping RHET bring the classroom to the countryside and assist in any way I can.
My name is Alison McCall, and I am twenty-two years old and currently self-employed working on two different dairy farms near the Kilmarnock area.
I am a member of Kilmaurs and District Young Farmers Club and in the past have taken the role of treasurer. As well as having the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and Thailand to see what farming is like there.
I love learning about all things agriculture and after having some interesting conversations at the Royal Highland Show with some great people, it encouraged me to get involved with RHET. I am enjoying getting the chance to teach others all about farming, along with learning some new things myself. Outwith work and young farmers I am a keen rugby player and coach, which allows me to express my competitive side, which also allows me to teach younger people.
My name is Tammy Campbell. I am 19 and pursuing a second-year Food Business Management Degree at Harper Adam University. I come from a dairy and sheep farm located in Wigtownshire. For the past five years, I have been actively involved in Machars Young Farmers, representing the club in various activities. Being a part of Young Farmers is a fantastic movement, opening many doors and introducing you to a wider range of activities regardless of whether you have a rural background. I look forward to using my abilities to help educate future generations alongside RHET, helping to highlight opportunities available in the rural community.
Iโm Louise. I currently work mainly as a herds person and calf rearer on a local dairy farm. Iโm part of Lower Nithsdale Young farmers club. Iโm chatty and bubbly especially if it involves subjects Iโm interested in, such as cows! Iโve been lucky enough through Lantra to have had opportunities to talk to children, young people and people looking at changing careers about farming and the countryside and this sparked an interest in me of showcasing our industry and teaching people where their food and drink comes from. Through a farm I used to work on I have helped host RHET school visits in the past and I love how inquisitive school children are, and the looks of amazement on faces after visits is what encouraged me to apply for the RHET Ambassador role and hopefully change how our young people see farming and the food they are eating.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time outdoors, spending time with our pup, attempting to be crafty and Iโm a sucker for a good book.
My name is Emma Gray. Iโm 25 years old and Iโve been an active member of the Peeblesshire Junior Agricultural Club and Young Farmers for the past 11 years. Previously I served as the secretary for Peeblesshire JAC and I am currently the secretary for our district. I sit on the Development and Wellbeing Committee and the East Region Committee. which sounds fancy but mostly involves a lot of meetings and cups of tea! I am an advocate for RSABI helping to raise awareness and break the stigma of mental health within farming and the wider community.
When I am not busy doing all things young farmers, I enjoy helping on our family farm with my younger brother John or spending time with my partner Craig and our border collie Skye. By day I am a full-time Early Years Practitioner shaping young minds and introducing them to the wonders of dirt! This year I decided to join the RHET Borders committee to help educate young people about farming and agricultureโbecause if they can learn that milk is not produced in the supermarket, I have done something right!
Iโm excited to combine my passion, creativity, knowledge, and expertise in Early Years, along with my background and love for farming and Young Farmers as I take on the role of RHET ambassador.
