Cairngorms National Park announces new agricultural advisor
An experienced Strathspey farmer has been appointed as the new agricultural adviser for the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Malcolm Smith, who farms at Auchernack, near Nethy Bridge, will take up the new post in February, acting as the first point of contact between the authority and the farming and crofting community.
He will deliver a programme of projects to support sustainable farm businesses in producing high quality food, increasing biodiversity, and mitigating and adapting to the climate emergency.
Mr Smith has run his family farm for more than 30 years, alongside his wife and sons.
A previous winner of the Cairngorms Nature Farm Award for conservation work on his farm, particularly around one of the Cairngorms’ rarest species, the dark bordered beauty moth, Mr Smith hosts visits from farmers and experts as part of the Scottish monitor farm network, to share learning.
“Malcolm will play a key role in liaising with the Cairngorms Agricultural Advisory Group set up earlier this year,” explained a CNPA spokesperson.
Mr Smith said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Cairngorms National Park Authority and looking forward to building relationships with farmers, crofters and land managers across the national park.
“Agriculture is such an integral part of the Cairngorms and having farmed here for decades, I’m keen to work closely with farmers to help them address the key issues we face and promote the positive impact of sustainable agriculture and its role in tackling climate change.”
