Rural and Environment
Women in the Rural Economy: Part 3
March 4, 2019 by lukeboddice 1 Comment | Category Agriculture, Farming, food and drink, Uncategorized
The third post in our new series looking at the important and diverse role women play in driving and supporting Scotland’s rural economy. This piece looks at the farming career and experience of Joyce Campbell of Armadale Farm in Sutherland.
I’m blessed to be farming here at Armadale on the beautiful north coast of Sutherland and I love sharing my farming life and story through the lens of my camera on social media.
Our 5,600 acre hill farm is extensively managed to minimise any impact on the SSSI’s which cover much of the farm. We currently run a flock of 820 North Country Cheviot Hill ewes alongside a herd of 25 hill cows and some free range hens. The animals are my top priority.
We have a couple of cottages on the farm, one of which I do holiday lets. There’s been a very large increase in visitor numbers to our area through the great success of the North Coast 500 route which passes our doorstep. I’ve loved meeting new folk from all over the world and giving them a wee taste of Highland life and the food that we produce.
I was a slow starter but when I eventually took to FaceBook and Twitter five years ago, like everything in my life I gave 100% effort. There’s a massive interest from the public to know how we farm and the story behind their food. Through our website and local outlets, I sell my pictures as well calendars and cards to customers from all over the world. Its not enough for me to retire but its a welcome boost to the farm’s income.
I’ve found my voice through social media and that in turn this has given me other opportunities through writing, TV and radio. Myself and my team of dogs are currently doing weekly blogs for The Peoples News on the new BBC Scotland channel. The dogs are the stars of the self presenting pieces to camera.
Living in a remote small community you need strong networks and support from your friends and neighbours. By working together and having self belief its amazing what can be achieved.
Our village is in the middle of an exciting project to build a new £400K hall. We have secured the funding and are just awaiting the planning permission before construction can start. We want to future proof our community and also encourage the passing tourists to stop and enjoy our beautiful village. By offering toilets, showers, electric car charging points, chemical toilet cleaning facilities and a popup cafe we hope to generate a small income to self finance our hall all year round.
As co chair of the Women in Agriculture Task Force I have been massively privileged to have met and worked with inspirational women and men over the past year and a half. I want to support, encourage and inspire women to fulfil their full potential in the way that others have supported me in my business and personal life.
Women in our agricultural communities are crucial to achieving a successful, thriving and strong rural economy for this country. Through the work of the Women in Agriculture Task Force we want to help deliver the tools to women which will ensure they are successful in these aspirations.
Tags: international wom, rural economy, Scotland, Women, Women in the rural economy
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Absolutely love this. Joyce is a good Facebook friend of mine, and I was up there( from an Oregon viewpoint) two years ago. She works so hard to promote the understanding of her lifestyle, their careful consideration of the impact on the land, and the value of that lifestyle for the future. All w/ a very pragmatic point of view, laced w/ some of the most understated good sense of humor I’ve ever had the privilege to know.