December 2022

As the end of the year grows near, our thoughts inevitably turn to what we’ve achieved...or not!  It's worth remembering that we are still living with the effects of Covid and, with the shortage of food-grade co2, container port delays and labour shortages, 2022 has been every bit as challenging as 2021 for many businesses.  

So, if you've been thinking about tasks that remain outstanding, don't be too hard on yourself!  Many of the supply chain issues are set to continue into next year and this will be exacerbated by rising energy costs and further industrial action.

What are you looking forward to in 2023?  What's in your diary?  What's the top of your 'To Do' list?  Are there any particular topics you'd like us to cover either on the OnFARM Academy training modules or in our weekly OnFARM podcast?  We'd love to hear from you!

News

31st January 2023 is the last day you can use non-barcoded postage stamps. If you have any old-style stamps you can send them to Royal Mail using their Swap Out scheme.  More info here.

Catriona McLean, who heads the 9-strong Scotland-wide soil-sampling team for SoilEssentials, leading a packed seminar (jointly hosted by Agri-Epi) at last week’s AgriScot. Seminar delegates heard about the ScotGov National Test Programme which gives financial support to farmers to have their soils sampled.  READ MORE

As part of their Destination Net Zero Programme to support Tourism Recovery, Visit Scotland is offering a discount of up to £500 off Green Tourism membership for tourism and hospitality businesses joining before March 2023 (or until all funding is used up).  More info here

Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) and AHDB launched a new network of organic cereals and combinable crop growers in Scotland. The network will focus on several meetings per year in a hybrid format, where growers can exchange experience, knowledge and skills. READ MORE

The OnFARM Podcast

A chat with Scotland's only Savory Institute-trained holistic management educator, William Houstoun, who works with farms, estates and other organisations to support their transitions to becoming more holistically managed.  William also has the best website domain name: https://www.land.scot/

Denise Walton trained as an ecologist but has spent 30 years alongside family and business partners building up Peelham Farm and expanding into butchery and charcuterie. Denise is Scotland chair of the Nature-Friendly Farming Network, and is deeply passionate about how farming can be part of solutions to both climate change and biodiversity.

Midlothian mum Rachel Moyes broke her back in four places after being flung from a horse's back in a remote location. Monty hears how ambulance workers used the What3Words app to locate her, and speaks with What3Words' Albe Pereira.  If you spend time in remote areas, whether for work or for leisure activities like riding, biking, or walking, please consider installing What3Words on your phone. It is free, easy to use and endorsed by organisations like the NFU and Police Scotland. Find out more here.

You can listen to all of the OnFARM episodes at podfollow.com/onfarm and if your organisation is interested in sponsoring an episode, let us know.

The Computer’s First Christmas Card by Edwin Morgan was published in 1968, a year highlighted by protests, worldwide unrest and a pandemic.  It begins:

" j o l l y b e r r y"
 h o l l y b e r r y
j o l l y m e r r y"

and ends, after many attempts:

"C h r i s m e r r y
a s M E R R Y C H R
Y S A N T H E M U M"

You can read the poem in full here (try reading it aloud, it's quite a tongue-twister!).  It is a playful representation of early computer algorithms and a favourite of some of the Scene & Herd team.

Search engines like Google use algorithms to calculate which listings should appear.  However, the way people search is changing and voice-assisted tech (e.g. Alexa and Siri) mean that more of us will be searching by voice.  Customers may find your competitors more easily if you don't adopt a voice search SEO strategy. Speak to us about making sure your rural business can be seen and heard in 2023.

Our next newsletter will be on Monday 9th January when the Scene & Herd Team will officially be back at their desks (although like all rural folk, we're never really 'off duty' so let us know if there’s anything we can help with).  

Wishing you a MERRY CHRYSANTHEMUM!

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January dates for your Social Media Marketing

1 -  New Year's Day – a day for sharing #NewYearsResolutions and #LoonyDooks!

8 -  Plough Sunday – Fill Instagram with pictures of decorated ploughs, film tractors being blessed for TikTok or make a blog post of Plough Sundays of yesteryear!

15 – 17 -  Semex International Dairy Conference 2023, Glasgow

23 - 25 - The British Cattle Conference takes place in person (after two years of virtual meetings) with 2023's theme of 'Challenging Traditions' designed to challenge thinking and promote discussion around how the industry can compete in the global marketplace.

25 -  The biggest date in the January calendar! Whether virtually or in person, Scots all over the world will be tucking into haggis, neeps and tatties to celebrate Burns' Night.

26 - SAOS conference 2023, Dunblane – More info/booking: https://saos.coop/events-and-training/saos-conference-2023-26th-january

31 -  After a break during December, the monthly (last Wednesday between 9 pm and 10 pm) tourism chat #ScotlandHour returns. You can see the theme and questions at the website http://www.scotlandhour.com/.

Get in touch if you need any assistance with your social media.