NFU Scotland’s Professional Membership offers businesses a gateway to Scotland’s agricultural community, providing access to over 9,000 farmers, crofters and specialists, and opportunities to promote your business within Scotland’s farming supply chain.
A Professional Member of NFU Scotland since 2021, Kevin has developed strong connections with our Scottish farming and crofting members, raised Birsay Farmers’ profile among its agricultural customer base and gained new insights to inform the business strategy.
Creating connection through NFU SCOTLAND
Meeting with NFU Scotland’s extensive membership base has proved highly beneficial for Birsay Farmers’ corporate strategy.
Kevin said: “Being a member of NFU Scotland has allowed me to meet farmers, crofters, growers, other businesses and suppliers that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
“The events, meetings and briefings have been extremely valuable for building meaningful relationships offline. I follow a lot of people on social media, but meeting them in real life has really helped to develop personal connections across the sector and move things away from feeling too transactional.
“Having better relationships with farmers and crofters has resulted in more conversations and awareness of the farming landscape, equipping me with accurate and real-time information required to proactively adapt my products to
fit farmers’ immediate and future needs.”
Insights to learn and develop
Early access to industry insights and policy expertise from NFU Scotland has helped Kevin develop his knowledge of the issues and challenges facing Scotland’s farmers and crofters. As a result, he has adapted his business strategy and refined his products and services.
NFU Scotland Professional Member resources include:
- Newsletters with member-only insights, policy intelligence, agricultural news and reports.
- Policy expertise shared directly from our regional and national teams and industry specialists.
- Our member magazine, Scottish Farming Leader.
- Exclusive invitations to meetings and events.
Kevin said: “NFU Scotland’s sector updates, reports and policy news help me stay informed on industry changes across the wider Scottish agricultural sector, not just my own niche.
“There are so many policies to wrap your head around, in my own subsector and others, but the information and expertise shared keeps me up to date and informs my conversations with Scotland’s farmers and other members.
“The benefits I have gained from NFU Scotland’s Professional Membership have changed the way I work and support agricultural clients and customers. Farmers change their approaches all the time, and their suppliers have to keep up. Early access to relevant member content is exactly what I need to stay ahead of my clients’ needs.”
Supporting business growth
Kevin has seen member benefits translate into better-informed business strategies, improved customer knowledge and increased opportunities for business development among Scotland’s farming community.
He said: “We’re quite isolated here in Orkney, so having access to NFU Scotland’s agricultural network has been a huge advantage for my business.
“There are also incredible profile-raising opportunities through sponsorship and advertising options, which give Birsay Farmers a chance to reach beyond Orkney and grow our presence among farmers and crofters in other regions across Scotland.”
Savings on the products that matter
From savings on diesel to discounted building supplies, NFU Scotland provides Professional Members with exclusive offers to cut down on costs and enhance their business.
Kevin continued: “The savings available on services, vehicle purchase discounts and the NFU Scotland fuel card offer even more ways for me to get value from my membership.
“For anyone looking to join, I would certainly recommend joining NFU Scotland as a Professional Member. Shared expertise, networking events, practical insights and connecting with Scottish farmers and crofters all go a long way towards helping my business succeed.”