Scottish AgriLeader event inspires farmers to aim higher

Held at The Park Hotel in Kilmarnock, the event attracted more than 170 farmers from across Scotland, all keen to hear from the renowned motivational speaker, business consultant and expert in self-belief and personal development, Marcus Child.

The conference proved to be an inspiring day, with a focus on leadership, goal setting and how to create meaningful impact in the farming community.

Empowering Scottish farmers to shape their futures

Marcus' session encouraged farmers to take charge of their futures by setting clear and ambitious goals. Through relatable stories he shared strategies to help farmers picture their goals and follow them with renewed purpose.

Doreen Anderson, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager for AHDB Dairy in Scotland, said:

“We’re thrilled to bring this level of inspiration to Scottish farmers. Marcus’ message about ‘unlocking powers in business’ really struck a chord with everyone.”

Some attendees took part in exercises to assess their own goals, creating time for personal reflection and ambitious planning.

Marcus encouraged everyone to imagine their big picture and consider the steps needed to achieve it, stressing the importance of open communication with family and team members to keep everyone working towards the same goals.

As he put it:

“Goal setting is the master skill of success. Picture your goal, decide on your heart’s desire and ask yourself: what do you really want to achieve?”

Strong turnout and positive feedback

The success of the event underscored the Scottish farming community’s strong interest in personal growth and future planning. Jim Baird, who first proposed inviting Marcus to Scotland, shared his thoughts:

“The event was truly inspiring, with a strong turnout from forward-thinking Scottish businesses. Everyone was highly engaged, and the day was well structured.”

Other farmers also shared positive feedback, with many leaving the event inspired. Jamie Butler, a dairy and arable farmer, spoke about how he was motivated by setting big goals and celebrating each achievement. He said:

“The session energised us to set big goals and celebrate each milestone. As dairy farmers, our main customers are our cows – Marcus reminded us of the need to ‘Wow our Cows’ and strive for excellence in all we do.”

Ross Neilson, owner of What’s Fresh Ltd. at Park Farm in East Kilbride, discussed how the conference renewed his focus on long-term strategy:

“Attending the event was valuable. It’s helpful to step back from daily routines and think strategically about the future. Taking this time out from regular tasks was refreshing and allowed me to return with renewed motivation and a clearer focus on the path ahead.”

The road ahead for Scottish farmers

For those who missed the Kilmarnock event, the upcoming AgriLeader Forum in London on 28–29 January 2025 offers another chance to gain insight from experts and connect with like-minded farmers.