Supporting Our Rural Community
Here, you’ll find resources and support services designed to help rural communities thrive - from mental health and wellbeing initiatives like Farm Strong Scotland, to financial bursaries and practical guidance tailored to the unique challenges of agricultural life.
Whether you're looking for someone to talk to, funding opportunities, or simply ways to stay strong through the seasons, this page is here for you.
About Farm Strong
Many challenges we face in farming are hard to predict or control. They range from climate events like drought and flood to fluctuations in commodity prices, changing government legislation and new technology.
Along with these external factors, come the demands of running any business – financial and production planning, managing cash flow, hiring and managing staff, succession planning etc. These pressures aren’t going to disappear so it’s vital that farmers develop the skills and resilience to cope.
Research shows many farmers and crofters are great at looking after their equipment and livestock, but, like many others, they can neglect their own wellbeing. As an industry, we can’t afford to let these pressures reach the point where they damage productivity and affect the lives of families.
Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business.
It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing.
About Nuffield Scholarships
Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust is a registered charity (No. 1098519) with an aim to inspire passion in people and develop their potential to lead positive change in farming and food. We award life-changing scholarships that unlock individual potential and broaden horizons through study and travel overseas, with a view to developing the farming and agricultural industries.
Each year Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to approximately 20 deserving individuals working in farming, horticulture, forestry or any other countryside and ancillary industry - or are in a position to influence those who do. The first scholarships were award in 1947 and since then over 1,000 Nuffield Scholars have completed their studies and travel to make an impact on farming and food.
About The Border Union Bicentenary Bursary Fund
The Border Union Bicentenary Bursary Fund offers financial support to people with drive and ambition who seek to advance their careers (or start a new career) in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, country sports, the food sector, conservation, rural crafts, equestrianism, rural leisure, fish farming, environment, renewable sources of energy, and all aspects of the rural economy of the Borders and North Northumberland.
It was set up to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Society in 2013. It is expected to reach £160,000 after generous support from landed estates, trusts, companies and individuals.
Particular emphasis will be placed on ensuring that the support given to successful applicants will ultimately contribute to the benefit of the rural economy of the area. This reflects the main objective laid down by the founders of the Society in 1813, that of ‘encouraging improvement’.
The Panel will meet quarterly to consider applications for funding.