Wood you like to diversify?

The benefits of woodland and timber crops will be highlighted at an event aimed at farmers who are growing their business, diversifying or planning for succession.

The Wood You Like to Diversify? event, run by Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS), will look at site suitability, grants and costs, and the financial and other benefits of woodland and timber crops.

Delivered by experts from SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College, it will also include a visit to the privately-owned and recently-planted Balcorrach Woodland, north of Lennoxtown – which neighbours an area of the same name planted by Forestry and Land Scotland (formerly the Forestry Commission).

Four speakers will talk through the various subject areas, including Senior Forestry Consultant Malcolm Young and Senior Consultant Robin Mair, Virginia Harden-Scott, Woodland Creation Officer at Scottish Forestry; and James Heaton, Agribusiness Relationship Manager at Clydesdale Bank.

Malcolm said: “Many farmers are now discovering the value of integrating woodland and timber crops with their businesses, so much so that many wished they had done it sooner.

“With the current Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) set to continue post-Brexit, there has rarely been a better time to plant trees.”

The event, which includes a free lunch, runs from 11am to 3pm on Friday 27 September at the Campsie Memorial Hall in Lennoxtown.

Posted by SRUC on 09/09/2019