NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual’s prestigious Ambassador Award has been presented to Dumfries and Galloway dairy farmer Tracey Roan for her outstanding advocacy of the farming industry in general, and dairying and Dumfries and Galloway in particular.
Established in 2009, the Ambassador Award was set up to recognise those individuals who, through their own efforts, have played an influential role in communicating the work, challenges and the value of Scottish food and farming to a wider audience.
Tracey was announced as the winner of the NFUS/NFU Mutual Ambassador trophy at NFU Scotland’s annual dinner, attended by more than 430 guests and delegates, and held in Glasgow (6 February). She received the award from NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick and NFU Mutual chairman, and former NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren.
Director of Regions and Regional Manager for Dumfries and Galloway, Teresa Dougall said: “I am delighted that Tracey has received our NFUS Ambassador of the Year award. At both a regional and national level, we have been working with Tracey over the last few years from when she first approached us, looking for our support in setting up the Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women’s Network.
“Tracey worked tirelessly to establish this group for ladies in her region, providing the meetings, training and social events that they wanted. Her drive to promote this group continues as does her commitment to the wider sector and family business.
“Tracey represented our sector on the South of Scotland Economic Partnership and has recently joined the NFUS Dumfries and Galloway Executive Committee.
“Tracey and the family also featured on Series 2 of This Farming Life and through this, we were able to see and hear about her passion for the industry. This is what we look for in an ambassador and the award has gone to a worthy winner.”
NFU Mutual Chairman, Jim McLaren added: “The establishment and development of Roan’s Dairy by Tracey and the whole Roan family makes her a fantastic advocate for the role that farm diversification can play in growing a farming business.
“It is also great to see, through the Dairy Womens Network, the crucial role of women in agriculture getting the support and recognition it so richly deserves.”
Biography
Tracey Roan is married to Steven, who, along with his family are the 6th generation of dairy farmers. Steven and Tracey farm at Boreland of Colvend, near Dalbeattie, with their family Andrew and Lucy and they milk more than 200 pedigree Holstein cows. In 2015, Tracey, her husband, and her in-laws, established Roan`s Dairy, with its distinctive ‘pink udder’ branding. Tracey’s participation in the Rural Leadership Programme was an important factor in setting up the new venture. Roan’s Dairy supplies fresh, free range milk to doorsteps and local businesses throughout Dumfries and Galloway. Diversification into a milkshake bar has seen the company attend more than 30 events a year including the Highland Show, local agricultural shows, festivals, motor shows, the local civic week and weddings.
Tracey was appointed to the board of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership in January 2018. The Partnership brings together the key public sector organisations that support economic growth in the South of Scotland, together with the private, third and education sectors. Tracey also sits on the local community council and has also recently joined the BBC Scotland Rural Affairs Advisory Committee.
Notes to Editors
- The NFU Scotland/NFU Mutual Ambassador Award recognises those who have excelled at representing the nation’s agricultural and food industries. Past winners are: Ken Rundle, Dan Buglass (posthumous), Lady Claire MacDonald, David Leggat, John Cameron, Ian Duncan Millar, Joe Watson (posthumous), Ewan Pate, Bobby and Anne Lennox, Marion McCormick and James Graham.
- A photograph of Tracey Roan collecting the Ambassador award at the Union’s annual dinner will be available from President Andrew McCornick (left) and NFU Mutual Chairman Jim McLaren is attached.
- Established in 2009, the award was set up to recognise those individuals who, through their own efforts, have played an influential role in communicating the work, challenges and the value of Scottish food and farming to a wider audience.
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006