March 2022

As we send this from Scene & Herd's HQ in East Lothian, known as 'Scotland's Breadbasket', desperate scenes are unfolding in the breadbasket of Europe prompting the leaders of the UK's four farming unions to send a message of solidarity to the Ukrainian National Agrarian Forum and the Finance and Economy Secretary to pen an open letter to Scottish businesses urging them to withdraw from trading with Russia.

It's natural to feel helpless but one of the most useful things you can do is to provide financial assistance via one of the many international charities e.g.:  Disasters Emergency Committee, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers, International Rescue Committee, Razom for Ukraine, Save the Children, Unicef, UN Refugee Agency or Voices of Children.

If you (or your children) feel overwhelmed, it is worth remembering Fred Rogers' quotation "Look for the helpers" and as Kirsty Strickland writes in her excellent article in the Courier - there's still more good in the world than bad.

News

Wanted - someone with a love of Social Media!  Are you keen on, and up to speed with, various social media channels, most specifically Facebook?  Do you enjoy writing content for social media?  Do you have a passion for rural Scotland and the food and drink it produces?  Would you like to work with Scotland’s rural PR and marketing agency, helping rural businesses to grow? Here at Scene & Herd, we are looking for someone to work with us on a part-time freelance basis to help us manage a range of social media accounts on behalf of our lovely clients, most frequently Facebook accounts. If you think you have what it takes, please email anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk  with a copy of your CV or an idea of some of your social media experience/knowledge.

The Scottish Government-funded ‘Be Your Best Self’ programme, whose delivery agents include experts in personal development facilitation, mental fitness coaching and agriculture, currently has a few remaining spaces available in both the April and May sessions of the programme.  Read more here.

Join Anna and Monty for a FREE Online Marketing Masterclass tonight at 7.30 pm or 11.00 am on Tuesday 15th March when we will share five strategies for making sure that your potential customers are aware of your business.  This is 60 minutes that you do not want to miss! If you can’t attend live, register anyway and we’ll send you a recording: https://www.sceneandherdpr.co.uk/pr-masterclass.

With your help, we recently compiled a listing of 2022 Scottish rural events and county shows.  Thank you to everyone who has submitted info so far.  If you know of any events that aren't listed, please get in touch.

To help fill the void left by the absence of an in-person AgriScot in 2022, Monty chaired a wide-ranging chat with former Aldi executive Marion MacCormick, SAOS vice-chair Rory Christie, The Sheep Game YouTuber Cammy Wilson, and Berwickshire arable farmer Neil White in two episodes of OnFARM podcast.

In the first of a series of podcast episodes to promote Go Rural Scotland's 'Days Out on Your Doorstep' campaign (which encourages people in Scotland’s towns and cities to get out into nearby countryside for farm experiences, short breaks and food and drink days out) OnFARM listeners enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of farm visitor experiences within easy reach of Dundee.  Monty visited Anna Lamotte at Guardswell Farm, Louise Nicoll of Newton Farm, Stephen Melville of Cuplahills Farm, and Caroline Bruce-Jarron of Ogilvy Distillery.

In last week's OnFARM podcast episode, Anna spoke with Andrew Arbuckle, a former Scotsman and Dundee Courier farming editor, ex MSP, author and farmer who has raised over £100,000 for the RSABI with proceeds from his books.  He also just happens to be a champion pole vaulter!

You can catch up on all OnFARM episodes here: podfollow.com/onfarm

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April dates for your social promotions:

1 - April Fools Day - from carrots that whistle when they're cooked to Marmite-flavoured lip balm, savvy brands love using 1st April to prank their customers with a new product or service.  

16 - Kilmaurs Show*

17 - Easter Sunday - have you considered running an egg decorating competition on Instagram?  If you are able to 'shell' out a little more, how about hosting a virtual egg hunt on your website (which encourages visitors to look at pages they might not otherwise have viewed) with % off codes as prizes.

23 - Beith Show*

23 - 30 - Great British Beef Week - #GBBW2022 is focusing on recognising and highlighting British beef farmers and the work they do to support sustainable production practices on their farms.  Visit the website for promotional resources.

27 - Stop Food Waste Day - Take the Stop Food Waste Day pledge and share it across your social media platforms using #StopFoodWasteDay.  The website has more ideas.

30 - Dundonald Show*

* Always check with organisers before travelling to an event.  

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