Age: 24
For many people, farming is in the blood and none more so than 24-year-old Kerry from Orkney. Since returning home to the Northern Isles after studying Mental Health and Counselling in Dundee, Kerry has thrown herself into supporting both her husband Alex and parents on their beef farms, as well as managing her own small flock of sheep.
“I have been involved in the livestock industry all my life having grown up on a farm. However, I decided to move away to Dundee to study and following this I’ve had various part time roles in Orkney, including working as a senior support worker for a young persons’ supported accommodation service and as a carer. Working part time always gave me the flexibility to support the farms.
“Farming has always been a big part of my life. Coming home to Orkney after studying was an easy choice as I missed it so much. More recently I have used my interest and knowledge to try develop myself as a freelance journalist, particularly in agriculture.”
Kerry has developed into quite the media personality with a monthly farming column, ‘Kerry on Farming’, in The Orcadian as well as regularly writing for the Farmers Journal Scotland. In addition to this she acts as a freelance reporter with BBC Radio Orkney. Kerry’s involvement in the media only started this year and stemmed from running her own blog (farmherkerry.co.uk), Instagram and Twitter accounts focusing on promoting farming and the (sometimes harsh) realities of it.
“Working in the media is something I really enjoy as it means I can help spread the word about what it’s really like to work in farming, especially from a young person’s perspective.”
Kerry was awarded the Young Livestock Ambassador Award at the Royal Highland Show in June this year. She is passionate about farming and hopes to encourage more young people to choose a career in both it and the wider food and drink industry.
“As farmers we have a real commitment to looking after our animals and producing the best products. Scottish food and drink is fantastic and I am proud to be involved in the industry. I love the people and the passion in the farming industry. It’s not an easy occupation to have but we still do it, you have to be incredibly resilient.”
Kerry knows first-hand how much of an impact young people can have on the industry and the importance of attracting more under 30s to think of farming as a career.
“We have to get more young folk involved now so that they can learn valuable skills from the older generation, and use their enthusiasm to drive the industry forward.
“For me, I find it to be very rewarding, particularly when I raise livestock from birth and see how they turn out.”
Kerry’s #ScotFoodGoals are to really encourage more people to buy and consume Scottish food and drink and to build a much more informed and trusting relationship with the consumers and customers.
“This can be achieved using media, both in the press and on a more personal level on social media. Farming, food and drink will go nowhere without our customers. I want the public to have a positive, and more importantly realistic, insight into farming and the wider food and drink sector.”
