Farming looks to the future as awareness of need for personal development grows - Anna Davies

It’s fair to say that now has never been a better time for personal development within Scottish agriculture and that, in challenging times, the sector is cognisant of the need to enhance their skills and those of their employees.

My grandfather, who was born in 1910 and farmed all his life, ran a successful and profitable farm business (albeit that some say it was easier to make money in farming back then). However, I don’t think he invested his hard-earned pennies into personal development. The latest equipment and the best livestock yes, but the chance for self-reflection and psychometric tests, probably not.

Whilst I sometimes yearn for the experiences of my childhood, such as picking fresh peas in the garden and sitting in the back of a grain trailer (’80s health and safety!), the modernisation of farming, in both innovation and mindset is, I believe, a good thing.

Farmers, male and female, have now realised that they must treat their farms as a business and themselves as an asset and have embraced learning as part of their investments.

Anna Davies, Director, Scene & Herd PR and Marketing

First to arrive on the personal growth podium within my career lifestpan, was the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme (RLP). Doing what it says on the tin – nurturing Scottish agriculture’s future leaders, I took part in 2012 and found it to be a fantastic journey. I still catch up with friends made on the course and could list numerous benefits of having taken part, including growth within my own business.

The RLP is no longer conspicuous in its uniqueness. Currently running (still time to bag yourself a space!) is the ‘Be Your Best Self’ programme which focuses on women in agriculture. Women with any kind of connection to farming are eligible for this free online programme which aims to support women to build confidence, understand their skills, develop their leadership abilities and expand their networks. As a male-dominated industry, women within the sector often suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’ and this course is smashing stereotypes and the inaccurate labels women often give themselves. Find out more at www.beyourbestself.site.

Last, but not least, (there are others out there, I simply can’t mention them all) is the forthcoming Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders programme, developed by SAOS (Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration), along with partners NFU Mutual, NFU Scotland and The Leadership Factory.

Agriculture and allied sectors are going through unprecedented times of change (who knows what my grandfather would say) and there are many challenges to overcome, and an uncertain future ahead.

For some, these challenges will lead to opportunity and for a few they will provide a time to lead and show others the way forward.

The Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders programme aims to equip today’s promising agri business employees with new skills, a supportive network, a positive mindset and new ways of thinking and doing. The course has been designed around the strategic and operational challenges that the industry faces in the present and future, giving participants the tools they need, not only to thrive personally, but to become leaders of people and catalysts for change.

Applications are currently open for this programme (they close in early September) and interested parties can find out more by emailing: [email protected].

There may be those who are labouring under the false impression that the agricultural sector is set in its ways and reluctant to change. That is not the reality for any farm business and the way in which the sector is investing in its people is evidence that the industry which feeds the nation is committed to doing what it does best long into the future.

Anna Davies, Director, Scene & Herd PR and Marketing