LATEST WINNER OF THE FORDYCE MAXWELL AWARD ANNOUNCED
Catriona Brown from Bonnington Farm, Peebles, a former SRUC student has won this year’s Fordyce Maxwell Award for Agricultural Communications.
The award recognises those who actively spread the word about agriculture through written articles, social media content for a business, podcasts, Vblogs, public events, or any other form of communication. It was established by SRUC last year in memory of the late Scotsman journalist who was a staple in the farming industry, with a 50-year career spent reporting on topical issues which affected the country, most notably his industry-leading reporting of the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001.
Passionate about bringing farming and the working countryside to life, 25-year-old Catriona, is actively involved in RHET (Scottish Borders), the Royal Highland Education Trust, of which their father is Chair. RHET aims to provide the opportunity for every child in Scotland to learn about food, farming and the countryside and to create a wider understanding of the environmental, economic and social realities of rural Scotland.
“I’m thrilled to have been presented with the Fordyce Maxwell Award,” said Catriona. “Educating the population about agriculture is a real passion of mine. I believe that if we would like people to buy our produce, we should welcome them to the farm and educate them, especially the younger generation, about provenance and traceability.”
“We watch the kids come out to the farm and they soon realise the connection between where the produce comes from and what’s available to buy at the supermarket – and that’s so important. It’s great to be able to educate them.”
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “We are always delighted to see our students and our alumni playing such a leading role in promoting and communicating positive messages about Scottish farming and the rural sector.”
