12 Jun Club of the Year Finalist Focus- Kinross JAC
Excitement is building for the final interviews of our National Club of the Year Competition, sponsored by Cefetra, which take place on Sunday 14 June. After battling through the regional qualifiers, six outstanding teams are ready to step into the spotlight, impress the judges and show why their club deserves to be crowned National Champion at our Grand Prize Giving during the Royal Highland Show. We caught up with each of this year’s finalists to learn more about their clubs, their journey so far and what helped secure their place in Sunday’s final.
KINROSS JAC
What has been your club’s biggest achievement this year?
A. Our club’s biggest achievement this year has been winning District Field Day. It is one of the highlights of our summer syllabus, and we were delighted to bring the trophy back to Kinross after previously winning it in earlier years. Another memorable success was our annual Cabaret, which continues to be a key social highlight for members and supporters alike.
What charity or fundraising work has your club done recently?
A. Our most recent fundraiser was our Charity Tractor Run in aid of Farmstrong Scotland. This was our first ever Christmas Tractor Run and proved to be a huge success, with over 50 vehicles taking part and £1825 raised. Following such positive feedback from the local community, we hope to make this an annual event.
Another standout fundraising achievement was our Charity Race Night in support of SAYFC’s Big Build Project, while also helping to fund three members attending the SAYFC Agri Affairs Trip to Texas. Held at Kinross Rugby Club in November 2025, the event raised over £1140 and was extremely well supported by both past and present members.
What competitions or events have you been most successful in this year?
A. This year has been one of great success across competitions and club events, with standout results including first place at District Field Day, first in District football and third in hockey, second and third in the District Quiz, third in District Member of the Year, third in both East Hockey and East Football, second in the East Quiz, first as District Club of the Year and third as East Club of the Year. We’ve also had a strong year on the events side, from our ‘Run to Norfolk’ fundraiser which raised £775 for Farmstrong Scotland and our Christmas Charity Tractor Run which brought in £1825 for Farmstrong Scotland, to our 81st Annual Dinner Dance at Rossie on the Earn with 120 guests, the annual Kinross Show Dance at Tillyrie Farm, a car treasure hunt from Findatie to Wester Coldrain, and a charity race night that raised £1146 for SAYFC’s Big Build Campaign and members heading on the Agri Affairs trip to Texas.
How has your club supported or engaged with the local community?
A. Our club is proud to play an active role within the local community. We work closely with the Kinross Show Committee, assisting with both the set-up and take-down of the show field. Our chairperson, Beth Farmer, also sits on the committee as the Young Farmer Representative.
We also support the Kinross Rotary Club with their annual Santa Sleigh Run each December. This year, we were grateful to receive a generous donation of £225, which contributed towards our Cabaret expenses.
Our Christmas Charity Tractor Run became a real talking point within the community, with videos widely shared on the Kinross Community Facebook page and many requests for it to become an annual event.
In recent years, we have also continued to support Fossoway Gathering, hosting games on our stall and helping to promote the club.
What makes your club unique and a strong Club of the Year contender?
A. Our strong connection with the local community makes our club a standout contender. We are passionate about supporting young people from all backgrounds, whether from farming or non-farming backgrounds, to grow, thrive, and succeed within the industry.
Kinross Young Farmers is a vibrant club with a growing membership. While we may differ in age and experience, the relationships we build with one another are meaningful and vital for the future of the club.
We are committed to promoting agriculture through farm tours, hands-on experiences, and practical learning opportunities, ensuring members understand and value the industry.
We also continue to innovate with fresh ideas and events, while keeping costs affordable and maintaining an engaging programme. Our dedicated committee plays a significant role in ensuring the smooth running and continued success of the club.
What would winning National Club of the Year mean to your members and future plans?
A. Winning National Club of the Year would be a tremendous honour for Kinross and a proud moment for all members, past and present. Even being placed 3rd at East level has already recognised the hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm that goes into every aspect of the club.
For our members, such an achievement would boost confidence, create a real sense of pride, and reinforce the value of being part of such a supportive and active organisation.
As a club, we would use this recognition as a platform to build on our success. It would help attract new members, strengthen our presence within the local community, and allow us to continue promoting agriculture and rural life in a positive and engaging way.
Looking ahead, winning would not mark a finish line, but rather a starting point for continued growth, ensuring Kinross Young Farmers remains a welcoming, forward-thinking club for many years to come.