The Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) has unveiled the winners of its prestigious annual awards.
A number of awards are presented by the society every year to recognise members of the farming community in the area.
The recipients of the awards – four leading industry figures and four rising stars in the sector – will receive their awards at a special celebration lunch on Friday, November 4, at the Jury’s Inn (formerly the Thistle Hotel) at Aberdeen Airport.
The winner of this year’s Press and Journal Award, which recognises a public figure or personality for their services to agriculture, goes to well-known north-east contractor and farmer Dave Carnegie.
Mr Carnegie, whose family has been farming since the late 1930s at Steelstrath on the outskirts of Laurencekirk, not only runs a successful business employing more than 40 staff but is also a renowned plougher who took Scotland’s first world champion title in the sport in the 1990s.
Next up the local award, which is sponsored by Aberdeen and Northern Marts, will be presented to RNAS secretary Alison Argo who helps run the family farm with husband Ian at Auchcairnie, Laurencekirk.
The award, which recognises someone for their services to local communities, specialist farming organisations or groups, will be awarded to Mrs Argo in recognition of her involvement with organisations such as RNAS, SAYFC, the Scottish Womens’ Rural Institute, Fettercairn Farmers’ Club, Fettercairn Brownies and her local church.
Meanwhile the David Argo Award, which is presented to an unsung hero employed in the agricultural sector, will be presented to Feedmix stalwart George McCombie.
Mr McCombie recently retired from the role of managing director at the mobile animal feed mixing company and he oversaw its growth from operating five to 50 machines.
The Under 35 Award, sponsored by SRUC, will be awarded to Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) project manager Rachel Turner.
The award, which is given to a person in that age group who has demonstrated significant achievement and contribution to agriculture, will be given to Mrs Turner in recognition of her work at the rural education charity which operates across Moray, Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire.
Lastly, three awards will be presented to upcoming figures in the sector.
The student award for a farmer’s son or daughter working at home will be presented jointly to Daniel Skinner of Faerview, Duncanstone, Insch, and Scott Taylor of Upper Braiklay, Methlick.
The award for a student employed outwith the home will go to Ashleigh Stephen of Logie, Gamrie, Banff, while the award for an agricultural apprentice goes to David Clark of Insch, who is currently working at Sellars Agriculture.
Tickets for the awards lunch on Friday, November 4, cost £25 and are available from RNAS secretary Alison Argo. They can be obtained by calling Mrs Argo on 07714899628 or by emailing secretary@rnas.info
