RHASS board members lend expertise to Scottish Agricultural Awards judging panel
Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) board members are lending their industry expertise by being part of the Scottish Agricultural Awards judging panel.
Taking place in October 26th at the Crown Plaza in Glasgow, the awards are a joint initiative between RHASS, The Scottish Farmer and AgriScot. Designed to celebrate excellence in Scottish agriculture, they span across categories representing Scotland’s diverse agricultural sector.
Six members of the RHASS board are on the judging panel for the awards this year:
Bill Gray MBE – Adviser of the Year
Farm and Estate Manager at Preston Hall and former RHASS Chairman Bill Gray was awarded an MBE this year for outstanding service to agriculture, charity and the community in Scotland. Bill was elected Chair in 2019 and served for three years, having joined the RHASS board in 2006 as a Director for the Lothian region. He has been in contact with many different advisers in his 30 years at Preston Hall and this breadth of experience will be invaluable in judging this award.
Sandy Wilkie MBE DL FRAgS – Young Farmer Initiative of the Year
After a decades-long career in the dairy industry, Sandy Wilkie is still actively involved with a number of agri organisations. Past President of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC), Sandy has been a lifelong enthusiastic supporter of the opportunities given too and importance of youth in our industry, making him well-placed to judge this category.
Christo Shepherd – Machinery Dealer of the Year
Christo’s many years of experience as Chief Steward of agri tradestands at the Royal Highland Show and the RHASS Technical Innovation Awards means he is ideally placed to pick this year’s Machinery Dealer of the Year. Having a lifelong interest in the technical and commercial aspects of agriculture, as an arable farmer he has also gathered much experience with agri machinery dealers.
Alan Laidlaw – Unsung Hero
As Chief Executive of RHASS, Alan has vast experience working within Scotland’s agriculture and rural sectors. Past roles include Director at the Oxford Farming Conference and working at The Crown Estate. Alan is a true champion of Scottish farming and will use his experience to help choose this year’s Unsung Hero.
Anne Logan – Animal Health Provider of the Year
A veterinary surgeon, partner in the family farming business, and daughter of a dairy farmer, agriculture runs deep through Anne Logan’s family. Anne is the British Showjumping Scotland Chair and a RHASS Director for the Stirling area, as well as Chair of the Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund. Her lifelong experience with animal health will inform the choice of this year’s winner.
Jim Warnock – Supplier of the Year
Current RHASS Chairman Jim Warnock farms at Gartfinnan Farm, Clackmannan, is Managing Director of JDWAgri Ltd, and has been a Stirling area Director at RHASS since 2010. A past chairman of Stirling Young Farmers and past chairman and president of Stirling Agricultural Society, Jim has been an active member of Royal Highland Education Trust Forth Valley, delivering classroom talks, farm visits and other RHET Events.
RHASS Chairman, Jim Warnock, commented:
“Myself and my fellow RHASS Directors are honoured to be judging at the inaugural Scottish Agriculture Awards. There are so many passionate and dedicated individuals and businesses involved in Scottish farming, which means our job will be a hard one, but it will be humbling to observe the breadth of innovation and talent in our sector.
“We look forward to celebrating Scottish farming and the people who make it great on October 26th – best of luck to all thosenominated.”
For further information about the work of the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, visit rhass.org.uk