A young farmer from the north-east has been appointed national chairman of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs (SAYFC).
Twenty-nine-year-old Stuart Jamieson, who farms at Ellon and is a member of Belhelvie JAC, will lead the young farmers organisation for the next 12 months.
He replaces 28-year-old Scott Wilson, of Beith YFC, who told SAYFC members at the association’s annual meeting that it had increased its membership for the third year in a row.
The outgoing chairman said the re-establishment of clubs on the west coast had helped boost the number of new members.
Incoming chairman Mr Jamieson said: “I would like to start by congratulating Scott on a fantastic year and say what an honour it is to be elected as your national chairman. Over the next 12 months I hope to continue to raise the profile of SAYFC while encouraging everyone to go out and support their local club.
“The announcement of £30,000 funding by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead earlier this year will allow us to develop the training available to our members.
“Over the last three years we have been building on this area of the association and through this grant we are in a position to put additional training in place much sooner than anticipated.
“One of my aims for the year is to ensure we maximise this opportunity so that as many members as possible can benefit from the business and agricultural skills available.”
He said SAYFC would re-invigorate its alumni programme – Friends of Young Farmers – which aims to encourage “past members, friends and family to sign up to invest in the future sustainability of SAYFC”.
Mr Jamieson will be supported in his role by the new national vice-chairwoman, Suzie Dunn, 24, of SSS YFC, who also takes on the role of west area chairwoman.
They are joined by north chairwoman Lynne Macarthur, 21, of Nairn JAC, east chairman David Barclay, 29, of Bankfoot JAC, and newly elected international chairwoman Gemma Bruce, 25, of Udny JAC.
The association’s rural and agri affairs committee will see Sarah Allison, 24, of Lanark YFC take on the role of chairwoman for a second year, while Duncan Morrison, 25, of Inverurie JAC, takes on the newly introduced post of agri and rural affairs vice-chairman.