Cultivating Leaders

Cultivating Leaders

SAYFC’s Cultivating Leaders programme is now recruiting for its tenth session which will take place over the winter of 2025/26.

Course Dates:   13/14 October,  24/25 November, 12/13 January

The programme has been a huge success for the Association and the individuals who have taken part.

Applications for this session are NOW OPEN!

Application Deadline 25th July 2025

Jordan Barclay, Strathmore

“Going into Cultivating Leaders I had heard stories about how it can really change your life and your thinking about it but I never realised how much of an influence it would have for myself. Starting the course, I had expectations around my learning such as succession, finance, and staff management however It exceeded all of those. Being able to learn about myself more but also business aspects of agriculture really set me up for being in a good place going forward to work towards my goals. The course cemented my thought process in regard to changing my career towards agriculture and the course has given me not only the skills and the confidence to do so but also allowed me to look at the transferable skill set I have from my current job.”

Jane Kerr, Biggar

“This course has been amazing and more than I expected. It has change my life and perspective on my future. I cannot recommend enough to any young farmer to apply. I’m so thankful for the fantastic people I have met over this course who are now life time friends and the brilliant advisors that helped us throughout .”

Louise Paterson, Lower Nithsdale

Cultivating Leaders stimulates your mind to think differently and gives you the opportunity to learn valuable skills for the future, personally and for business. I would definitely recommend my fellow SAYFC members take up the opportunity!

Programme Content:

• Leadership– what is it and have you got the qualities?
• Vision & goals– where do you want to be and where are you now?
• Succession– Are you in the position to be able to make the decisions that you need to make, have you a difficult conversation to have?
• Business – Cash flows, accounts, budgets, understanding the market place
• Practical – Actually filling out a farm business tenancy application – completing a bank loan application – drawing up a business plan to present to partners and the bank manager
• Conclusion – Are you a leader?
• Farm/Industry Visit – a mixture of farm visit where they will see “leadership” in action.

WHO CAN APPLY:

This amazing opportunity is only open to SAYFC members, and there are just 16 places available per programme.  Applicants MUST be able to commit to all of the six days.

COST:

This programme is free to SAYFC members but if you do not attend one of the sessions and do not have a legitimate reason for absence you will be charged for the costs occurred during those dates.

DATES:

The Course dates will be 13/14 October,  24/25 November, 12/13 January.

(These include week days so will require attendees to take leave if in full time employment.)

For more information please contact Jenny