Kevin is farming's Unsung Hero

A well-known figure in North east farming circles received the annual Unsung Hero award at the Turriff Agricultural Show on Monday.

Celebrating his Unsung Hero award at Turriff Show was well known pig producer Kevin Gilbert (centre) accompanied by his wife Anna, daughter Elizabeth and son Thomas. Even Jazzer the family dog joined in the celebrations.

Kevin Gilbert received the award, presented by NFU Scotland’s North East Region, for his services to the industry in the area.

Kevin, who farms at Womblehill, Kintore, is the immediate past chairman of the union’s pigs committee and was a member of the union’s Board of Directors for four years. He continues to represent pig producers in the region.

In making the presentation of a limited-edition pig-themed print by renowned artist Angela Davidson, regional chairman Davie Winton paid tribute to Kevin’s tireless work on behalf of fellow farmers, his promotion of Scottish pork and his recent work in raising awareness on mental health and well-being within the farming community.

He said: “For a great many years, Kevin has done a power of work promoting Scottish food, and Scottish pork in particular.

“When the Union is engaged in promoting Scottish produce at supermarkets in the region, he is the one member you can rely on to turn up and do a sterling job is telling shoppers the great story behind Scottish food. As a pig producer, he also goes the extra mile to promote Scottish pork, and famously was seen many years ago taking part in the ‘Stand by your Ham’ video, encouraging UK consumers to put more pork on their fork at a time when pig prices were in decline.

“More recently, he has been helping us with the important job of raising awareness on mental health issues and well-being in the farming community. He has a great way of putting his points across in print, on radio or on TV and he has always been willing to open his farm gates to the media on behalf of North East farmers.

“I’ve had the pleasure of travelling to many head office meetings with Kevin. We’ve had some tremendous conversations, he has a great sense of humour and he is a very worthy winner of this award.”