Aimee Budge

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

Aimee runs the family farm with her sister Kirsty following the sudden death of their father in a tragic farm accident.

Operating in the challenging conditions of the Shetland Islands, Aimee has juggled the farm with her studies where she has recently graduated with a merit in BSc in Agriculture.

The farm runs across 300 hectares and comprises 240 sheep, 70 suckler cows and are one of few units to grow 25 hectares of their own barley.

Between college and travelling home, Aimee has also completed work experience at Tolquhon Farm to develop her practical skills and experience.

Sharing knowledge is a key area of focus and the farm is now a QMS Monitor Farm, with the sisters involved in organising and running the meetings, presenting and providing data and promoting women in agriculture.

They have also launched their own group to work with the other four barley growers on the island to help everyone involved work more efficiently and improve productivity.

Promotion

Aimee has been riding horses since a young age and has her own pony which she has taken when she studied away as she prepared to compete at the Royal Highland Show. A member of her agricultural society, Aimee sits on the committee for the Equestrian Society and has organised social events and the general running of the clubs.

Her passion for netball spurred her to volunteer at her local primary school where she trains and co-organises league games.

Aimee is ambitious to promote farming to the wider public and wants to develop an educational learning centre where the public, tourists and children can visit and learn about farming and actively participate in some of the tasks necessary for food production. Social media pages about the farm are also up and running.

A member of Garioch YFC while at University has fuelled an ambition to launch a group at home, where they are none.

The judges said about Aimee: Aimee has overcome a family tragedy to embark on a farming career where, through personal example and leadership, she is pushing forward husbandry and productivity in Shetland’s agriculture. Her passion for farming is palpable as is her desire to share knowledge and best practise with fellow farmers. A worthy winner.

On winning, Aimee said: “It is so amazing to have won. Young people should definitely get involved in agriculture and there are so many interested in it. There are so many opportunities to be had and I want to thank so much all the people that have supported. I have had so much fun and learnt so much at university and I am humbled to be stood here holding this award. It’s been a rollercoaster.”