On the back of the Next Generation’s online survey launched this week, Next Gen Chairman Colin Ferguson discusses the importance of getting involved to have your voice heard.

This week we have launched an online survey which we hope can be used to steer the future of NFU Scotland. When I set out on the chairmanship of the Next Generation Working Group, I ironically saw the success of the group as being able to negate the need for a group. This by no means was the ambition to fail but the contrary; the ambition to reform.  

I’ve always been a reformer both in a business sense and in the advocacy of trying to make agriculture work for the primary producers. To fully advocate effectively for the farming sector, it is important we represent the whole sector. It’s easy to critique from the sidelines, it’s easy to complain and it’s very easy to ignore problems. What is difficult is being able to have the leadership to look in the mirror and become self-aware of the weaknesses.

So, in that mindset I think we do need to look at NFUS and see where it can be improved. Like all organisations it’s not perfect, in fact it’s extremely hard to both represent everyone and in turn please everyone all of the time. I often reflect on the phrase ‘We can do anything just not everything’.

I have always advocated for equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome. This basically sets out that improvement is not gained by forcing change at the top but first breaking down the barriers at the bottom to allow competence and enthusiasm to shine. This will in turn through time see a natural change throughout the whole system, ultimately making the structure better. This isn’t a quick fix but a little like tree planting, the best time to start is ten years ago, the second best is now!

There will always be barriers in life. I believe it is a personal responsibility to overcome them but also, and more importantly, a community's duty to lower them. I have no doubt that every single individual involved in NFUS has good intentions and the interests of farming and crofting members at the front of their minds, in every decision made or meeting attended. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. As an organisation which sees itself as speaking for the farming community, it is important we look internally and makes sure we represent that community as well as possible.

This, rather neatly I hope, brings me back to how the Next Generation Committee hopes this survey can help identify these barriers and opportunities to lower them.

First, we need to fully grasp just what we need to focus on. This short survey will give us an understanding of what younger, older and future members want from their Union and what we can do differently and to increase the opportunities to progress through NFUS. This community will be here for many years to come so it is important we make it fit for that future.

Members can complete the groups short survey on engaging with the Next Generation at - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NFUSNextGen