well that was a week!!
I was down at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston last week. I left Dad and William in charge at home, but I did point out I wasn’t just going on a jolly. That was part of it obviously. It was lovely to catch up with lots of friends but I was also there to collect an award.
Which is not a sentence I ever thought I would be writing.
We won the RBST (Rare Breed Survival Trust) food and sustainability Croft of the year.
It was a very nice surprise to be nominated and an even bigger surprise to win.
We run the croft in the way that feels right for us. looking after nature, running rare breed Irish moiled cattle, selling direct to customers and helping other learn what its about and how to sell direct themselves, not so we can win awards or be recognised for doing something, but because it feels right to us.
I chose Irish Moilied cattle because I like them. They are a beautiful breed, full of character (and very vocal as our young bull Tom Boy is currently reminding us all day and night.) And they make me happy. The fact that they thrive on pasture based systems, don't need lots of hard feed, and the meat sells really well in boxes are all add ons. I got them because I liked them.
I farm with nature because it makes me happy. I like seeing the wildflower meadow come into flower. I love hearing curlews, lapwings and oystercatchers calling to each other. And I love seeing Great yellow bumblebees here, slowly clawing back a wee niche.
I share my stories on Facebook and help others learn how to sell their meat direct because I love talking to people, I enjoy telling stories and hearing from folk all over the world.
To be recognised for doing what I love, and what quite honestly doesn't feel like work, also makes me very happy.
It’s an award I share with my mum, dad and William. They are the people who motivate me to keep going and listen to my weird and wonderful plans all the time.
Which maybe aren’t so weird and wonderful after all.
As well as the award, the show is a great chance to catch up with folk, networking farmer style, with a dram in hand, admiring people's animals and produce. These shows are so much more than just prizes and showing. They us keep our finger on the pulse and encourage innovation. Day to day farming can get lonely and routine, so coming away to events like this gives many people something to aim for as well as a chance to see what and how other farmers do things and take away new ideas and motivation. I really enjoyed the Farmstrong Scotland stand, they had the biggest raspberries I’ve ever seen!
“ I love a yarn, it was great to meet some really inspirational people. It gave me some great options to explore for speakers to visit the My Wee Croftie Community.
I’m always on the hunt for guests to come and share their experiences with the group, if you have a talk you’d like to share, message me.