Scottish Region

2020 certainly was a year like no other – a year when staying at home would save lives! However, as we entered into 2021 it was clear that the challenges of COVID-19, Brexit and of course the good old British weather weren’t going anywhere anytime soon. But it is amazing to reflect that 8 months into 2021, a huge proportion of the country is now vaccinated, and with things starting to ease, we enter a new era of normality.

Despite the unprecedented challenges of last year, 2020 ended on a high for the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group with fantastic presentations from the 2019 returning scholars, including Claire Hodge, Penny Montgomery and Richard Walker, and a truly inspiring presentation from 2019 Steven and Gillian Bullock Award winner, Jim Shanks. I was also fortunate and truly honoured to be selected as the recipient of the HSBC Silver Salver award. In addition, we also welcomed 2021 scholars, John Gray and Ranald Angus, into the Nuffield Scotland family. The 2020 NFST AGM also marked the end of Jim Shanks tenure as Chair of the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group, and on behalf of the entire group, I would like to extend my thanks and massive appreciation to Jim for his dedication over the last few years. It was an honour to work alongside Jim as Secretary and he has left very big boots to fill! With the dawn of 2021, I was honoured to pick up the baton of Chair of the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group for a 2-year tenure. As I eased into the role it was an opportunity to establish a new leadership structure and I was delighted to be joined by Neil McGowan and Jamie McIntosh in their new roles as ViceChair and Secretary, respectively.

Right off the back of our appointments we went straight into planning the Nuffield Scotland AGM. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we weren’t able to do our usual weekend getaway however a virtual offering meant that we had the opportunity to invite a guest speaker from further afield. With robotics, AI and data hot on everyone’s lips right now, we were extremely fortunate to secure Ben Scott-Robinson, CEO and coFounder of Small Robot Company. Ben spoke to the group about understanding weed distribution and densities when designing per plant weed control systems which led to lots of discussion and debate. We also had an excellent presentation from Claire Hodge on her GFP travels, and the evening was complete by an at home gin tasting with the amazing Kim Cameron from Gin Bothy.

The new year also brought the opening of the 2021/2 NFST applications. Nuffield Scotland

hosted monthly 1-2-1 drop-in and coaching session for potential scholars, which ran from January right through to the closing date in July, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every applicant.

As with many agricultural shows, the Royal Highland Show went virtual for 2021. As such, we organised a number of different pieces of content in order to promote Nuffield Farming Scholarships across Scotland. These included the following videos:

• Introduction to NFST presentation by Jenna Ross: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=S6FAb9z5OgE

• GFP presentation by Claire Hodge: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VAkZivWWdZI

• Montage video from past and present

Nuffield Scotland scholars: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6PnBTU52yOo

In addition, a number of individuals from the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group were involved with the #AgriLeadershipWeek, which was in collaboration with NFST, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Institute for Agricultural Management (IAgrM), Worshipful Company of Farmers (WCF) and The Farmers Club Charitable Trust (FCCT), in order to highlight leadership training opportunities within the industry.

Last month, the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group also took part in the Nuffield Golf Society trip which was organised by David Rose and ventured north to Scotland. Jim Shanks hosted the group for a tour of Standhill Farm and received excellent feedback from everyone in attendance! We are also in the process of planning dissemination activities alongside SRUC which I hope will take place in the autumn. In addition, we are preparing for next year’s activities and hope to hold our 2022 AGM in person. More information will be available in the coming months. I would just like to finish by saying a massive thank you to the entire Nuffield Scotland Regional Group for their continued engagement and enthusiasm – it’s been great to see so much activity take place throughout 2021. I would also like to say a special thank you to Neil and Jamie for their continued efforts throughout the year! Best wishes

Jenna Ross