The AgriScot Business Skills, sponsored by NFU Mutual and supported by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), supports aspiring young professionals, aged 18 to 25 years of age, by encouraging them to think about the skills required to manage an agricultural business, whilst also connecting them with mentors and networks, to help with their personal and professional development.
Entrants had to answer the question What does a sustainable future look like for Scottish Agriculture? in order to make it through to the regional heats, where individuals visited a farm and had to provide their assessment of the business to a panel of judges.
The three finalists from these heats will now go forward to AgriScot 2023, where they will review one of the product innovation finalists, and deliver their thoughts, live on the day, to a new panel of judges.
Ian Carlisle studied at SRUC Barony (HNC) before going to SRUC Edinburgh to complete his bachelor honours degree. He works in the family beef and sheep farm in Dumfries, as well as supporting their abattoir and butchery business at Lockerbie. Away from work, he is a keen rugby player with Dumfries Saints.
Alexander Mitchell is in his third year studying Agriculture BSc (Hons) at SRUC Barony Campus. He has experience in many areas of agriculture including arable, beef, dairy and sheep. He competes in many Young Farmers competitions through his local club including stockjudging and the rally. His ambition is to grow his family farm business as well as becoming an agronomist.
Hector Tomlyn is from Duns in the Scottish borders and is third-year agriculture student at SRUC, Aberdeen campus. Not from a farming background, Hector has worked on a neighbour’s farm during his holidays, to gain as much experience as possible. He has also spent two summers in Yorkshire supporting harvest. He plan is to finish his honours degree and then go travelling to learn different methods of agriculture, as well as continue to be an active member of his local Young Farmers club.
The competition, which assesses individuals’ general business skills and awareness of agri-business issues, comes with a £1000 cash prize. In addition, new this year, the two individuals who come runners up will be presented with £250 each.
