I am writing as part of a group of Young Farmers who have been selected as the SAYFC team of 16 to represent Scotland on the forthcoming agricultural and rural affairs study tour to California. The tour is taking place between the 24th November and 16th December 2018.

During the trip we hope to gain an insight and understanding of farming in another country. The study tour has a theme of “embracing technology”. We hope to see examples of how California has achieved increased efficiencies and maximised opportunities through their use of technology.

Whilst in California we will visit beef and dairy farms as well as diversified businesses. The trip will also cover more unique enterprises including tomato, almond and cotton farms. We hope to identify how farmers utilise their resources and address the issues of farming in a water deficient country.

We all see the study tour as a great opportunity to gain experience into the similarities and differences of agriculture in another country. The group are looking forward to having the opportunity to talk with farmers first hand and learn how they achieve success as individual businesses and as an industry.