A crofting campaigning group has announced four new additions to its Board with each offering a wealth of farming and crofting knowledge.
The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has announced the appointments of Jo Hunt, Annie MacDonald, Rob Black and Michael McGettigan to its board on Friday (August 30).
Jonathan Hedges, chair of SCF, said each farmer brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, while covering wide geographical areas in Scotland.
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"We are delighted to welcome Jo, Annie, Rob and Michael to the board and look forward to working with them," Mr Hedges added.
"We are, however, still keen to see more women appointed to the board and we are still looking for Board representation from Shetland and Orkney.
"To that end, if you, or someone you know, has the skills, experience and enthusiasm for the role, please get in touch."
Learn more about the new board members:
Jo Hunt
Jo Hunt is a consultant economist turned crofter.
He runs Knockfarrel Produce on the family croft at Knockfarrel, near Dingwall.
The croft feeds 220 local families with healthy organic veg, fruit, eggs and pork.
Since planting 30,000 trees in 2012, the croft is carbon negative by 72 tonnes CO2E each year.
Mr Hunt also has 20 years' experience providing agricultural business and policy advice, and trains and mentors new farmers.
Annie MacDonald
Annie MacDonald was brought up on a croft in Rhulios on the Isle of Barra before leaving the islands to study nursing at University.
She worked as a nurse on the mainland for six years before moving back to the islands to settle in South Uist.
Having recently purchased a croft she is excited to start her own crofting journey, and to join the SCF and represent the crofting communities where she lives.
Crofting is a vital and integral part of agriculture in Scotland and one that Annie is very proud to be a part of.
Rob Black
With considerable experience in the rural industry and a deep understanding of crofting matters, Rob Black, based near Oban, is dedicated to supporting and advocating for crofters across Scotland.
He hopes his strong background in this field allows him to contribute meaningfully to the Scottish Crofting Federation and members, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of crofters and promote sustainable practices in the crofting counties.
He is passionate about making a positive difference and helping to secure the future of crofting communities.
Michael McGettigan
Michael McGettigan based in Thurso, has been involved in crofting for many years, gaining expertise in animal husbandry, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable land management.
He runs a consultancy that supports small businesses with policy development, project management, and the delivery of socio-economic initiatives.
He is particularly interested in integrating permaculture and innovative land management into crofting.
As a member of the Board, Michael aims to address current challenges, support new entrants, and explore ways to include innovation with traditional crofting practices for a more sustainable future.
He is looking forward to contributing to the SCF's mission and the evolving landscape of crofting.