A young farmer from Shetland has been named the best agriculture trainee in Scotland.
Jakob Eunson, 19, who hails from East Voe, is this year’s winner of the agriculture category at Lantra Scotland’s annual Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year awards.
The awards set out to celebrate the achievements of trainees working in land-based, aquaculture and environmental industries.
Mr Eunson is currently doing a Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 3 in livestock productioon through Train Shetland, while working as an apprentice farmer at Uradale Farm in Scalloway.
In the future he hopes to create an innovation “production to retail” business, raising livestock to butcher and sell on to customers via a retail outlet.
He said: “Thank you Lantra Scotland for this award, I will cherish it for a very long time. I’d also like to thank my nominator and tutor Janice Leask from Train Shetland, my teacher Ronnie Hattle, everyone at SRUC Barony who has helped me, my father Ronnie Eunson and all the rest of my family. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
The runner-up spot in the agriculture category went to Matthew Douglas from Hawick – he was also joint winner of the prestigious Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies award.
All winners were given their awards by well-known farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson.
Mr Henson said: “It’s inspiring to see such talented people getting the support of employers and training providers as they start their careers within these key industries.”
Meanwhile, the prestigious Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year award, which is presented to a winner of one of the category awards, went to 34-year-old forestry apprentice Emma Staniforth from Dumfries.
The overall runner-up was 22-year-old fisheries management apprentice, Stuart MacKinlay, from Deanston in Stirling.
The Higher Education Learner of the Year award went to Kati Michalek from Oban, while the Modern Apprentice of the Year award went to 22-year-old Jack Fraser from Carol near Fort William.
The Rural Schools award went jointly to Ullapool High School and Breadalbane Academy, while the Jean’s Jam Award in recognition of the efforts of a mentor or trainer went to David Olds of North Highland College UHI.
A new award – the Tam Tod Trophy – awarded in memory of well-loved gamekeeper and ghillie Tam Tod, was awarded to 18-year-old game and wildlife apprentice Alasdair Davidson from Fort William.
