Three young women including one from Dumfries and Galloway who share an exceptional enthusiasm for the livestock industry have been selected as finalists in an initiative launched as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Young People.
Sam Haining from Dumfries-shire, Kerry Annal from Orkney and Gemma Wark from Angus are the finalists in the one-off Young Livestock Ambassador award, run by Quality Meat Scotland, SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) and the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland.
The overall winner – who will be announced on Friday June 22nd at the Royal Highland Show – will receive a lifetime membership of RHASS, including free entry to the Royal Highland Show.
“The three finalists come from very different parts of Scotland and have very different interests in our industry but each shares a passion for livestock and a confidence about the future,” said Douglas Bell, Director of Industry Development with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
“It is their shared determination to make a difference, whether in writing about the industry, educating children or working to produce the very best livestock, which has seen them shortlisted for this prestigious award,” Mr Bell added.
Colin MacEwan, SRUC’s Director of Commercialisation and Innovation said: “We have been extremely impressed by the entries for the award. The three finalists come from different backgrounds but the common theme that connect them is their love of Scottish agriculture and their wish to see it flourish.”
“The Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland has been proudly promoting the interests of Scotland’s land-based industries and rural communities for over 230 years. We are delighted to be supporting this award as one of several initiatives we are undertaking during Scotland’s Year of Young People,” said Alan Laidlaw, Chief Executive of RHASS.
For over 230 years, RHASS has creatively promoted the interests and priorities of the land-based industries and rural communities of Scotland. from RHASS
The winner of the Young Livestock Ambassador Award will be announced by Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, on the QMD stand in Avenue O at 3.30pm on Friday 22nd June.