Sustaining a family farm through generations requires immense perseverance and dedication. However, what are the current and emerging challenges that long-standing farms in the Highlands are facing? And is it true that traditional farms are resistant to change, as often perceived?

In our latest episode of the Highland Good Food Podcast, we explore these questions with John and Fiona Scott of Fearn Farm and Hector Munro of Foulis Farms. These two families defy the stereotype, demonstrating that staying connected to the local community and embracing change are essential strategies for weathering future political and economic storms.

Join the Highland Good Food Partnership, to help shape the future of good food in the Highlands.

Here are some great and inspiring ideas from two different Scottish businesses. Both Macleod Organics in the Highlands and Balcaskie Estate in Fife have thrived by being creative and willing to pursue what they believe in with passion and ingenuity.

What is the Good Food Nation Plan? What does it mean to each of us and how can we assure that this opportunity is made the most of?

In March there will be an option to join organised “consultation engagement events” Sounds a bit wordy, but it can be helpful to understand what opportunities there are to be a little more involved in the Good Food Nation plan.

https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-economy/national-good-food-nation-plan/

There will also be more informal “kitchen table talks” that you can join here.

https://www.foodcoalition.scot/kitchen-table-talks.html

https://www.nourishscotland.org/campaigns/good-food-nation-bill/kitchen-table-talks/

The Highland Good Food Partnership is organising 6 Highland-specific consultation events - each one focused on one of the 6 outcomes - visit https://highlandgoodfood.scot/gfn/ for more details.

In this episode, we delve into Farmer Clusters in Scotland. Join us as we explore the challenges, successes, and the exciting potential of what can be achieved when farmers unite on a larger scale.

Our guests include Fiona Torrance from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Kat Sharp, farmer and facilitator for the Glen Urquhart Farmer Cluster, and Fred Swift, Farmer and facilitator of the West Loch Ness Farmer Cluster.

Full report available here “Collaboration at landscape scale: Farmer Clusters in Scotland Project Report” – https://highlandgoodfood.scot/farmerclusters/

Creative ways to make a living on a croft

In this episode we meet three people living and making a living on croft land across the Highlands and Islands. Living close to the land and working with the seasons, their stories are individual, yet with similar threads of love of nature and a willingness to be creative and inventive. Have a listen and see if this way of life could be for you and tempt you to find a place to grow, or to buy more local food. There is a lot of information here https://crofting.scotland.gov.uk/.

This episode is about wwoofing (worldwide opportunities on organic farms) Talking to hosts and volunteers who have benefitted from this exchange scheme, our new host Fuggo investigates why the practical experiences can help learn about food growing and inspire us to get closer to the land. Clive and Julie, hosts near Inverness have a permaculture garden. Alex is head gardener at Allangrange on the Black Isle and Liv is a wwoofer!

In this episode we explore some of the ways education and training can contribute to teaching young people and adults how to grow food and develop skills for life and work. We speak to the manager of a small working farm on the Black Isle, the founder of the Lochaber Rural Education Trust and the Headteacher in charge of a 'Grow, Cook, Compost' primary school project.

Laura speaks to Anna from Planet Sutherland, Mairi from the Fearn Free Food Garden and Emma from the Auchtertyre Community Garden. They discuss the importance of community food projects, which offer a space for learning, a place to gather and grow. A very inspiring listen!