Building a home for future of young farmers - Penny Montgomerie

That experience continues to influence my work as Chief Executive at Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and drives the Big Build campaign, our commitment to providing a permanent home for Young Farmers and investing in future generations.

Penny Montgomerie

SAYFC has always been about far more than farming. For almost 90 years, we have offered young people across rural Scotland a place to belong, grow their confidence, and develop the skills needed to contribute to their communities and the wider agricultural industry.

Through the Big Build campaign, we are taking a vital step to ensure that legacy continues.

The Big Build aims to create a new centre for Scotland’s rural youth, following the loss of our former, headquarters at the Royal Highland Showground, which was condemned and subsequently demolished. For the first time in decades, SAYFC has been without a permanent base, making this new facility essential to ensure we can continue our work with supporting young people across rural Scotland while safeguarding the organisations future.

The centre will provide a year-round base for Young Farmers staff and our members, acting as a social hub to help tackle rural isolation and strengthen community connections, as well as offering office and event spaces to support other vital organisations in the agricultural sector. When not in use, the building will be marketed as an events space, generating additional revenue.

The Big Build is more than a building, it’s an investment in Scotland’s rural youth and the wider agricultural industry. By providing a permanent home, we safeguard SAYFC’s proud history, nurture the next generation of farmers, and create a safe space where young people can connect, learn, and thrive.

We are inviting everyone to support this vital project for Scotland’s rural youth by visiting www.sayfc.org/donate/sayfcs-big-build/