Balance is at the core of everything we do, if we dont find the right balance between crops and livestock, between farming and the environmnet and between work and life we will under achieve in our anticipated outcomes.
We have a range of enterprises in our farming operation which compliment each other whilst looking after the environment and of providing us with a decent living and good lifestyle. Maximum is of no interest to us, Optimum is where its at.
Kirsty studied agriculture at SRUC Oatridge and is a key part of our livestock team with her Huntaway dog Annie by her side. Kirsty’s passion lies with cattle but often works with sheep, especially at lambing time when she takes a lead on the night shift.
James studied agriculture at SRUC Aberdeen and worked in Aberdeenshire before joining our team to oversee crops. James also enjoys the sheep side of things and splits his time between cropping and livestock enterprises.
We are proud to have strong links with New Zealand and enjoy the new ideas and energy that these people bring to our business and community.
If you’re planning travelling – get in touch! Who knows we might have a role for you for a few weeks or months and if we don’t we may have contacts who do.
An essential part of the operation – our dogs! With a lot of cattle and sheep jobs every day, our team of dogs is essential to the work we do. Particularly helpful for gathering in hills and large fields, these dogs never seem to tire – even when we’re positively knackered after a hard day’s graft.
Archie is studying Agriculture amongst other things at SRUC Edinburgh, when home he focuses on the machinery side of things but helps out on livestock as and when he’s required. Also a keen rugby player he play’s for Ross-Sutherland Rugby and Murrayfield Wanderers when in Edinburgh.
Lexie is studying Marketing at Heriot Watt University, and fits farm work around her studies.
She is a key admin of Fearn’s social media acWhen home she blends working in Shore our newly refurbished hotel and our office where she is heavily involved in the marketing of our business.
Izzy studied Agri-Business at Harper Adams University in Shropshire and now splits her time between home and working in New Zealand.
With a keen eye for stock, Izzy splits her time between the outdoors and indoors where she is beginning to get involved in the management of the business.
After studying agriculture in SRUC Edinburgh, James travelled to New Zealand and now occupies the role of Stock Manager overseeing our beef and sheep enterprises.
James has travelled to New Zealand twice bringing new ideas back to Fearn on both occasions.
Off farm James is a keen rugby player and captains local club Ross-Sutherland Rugby.
Usually spotted in shorts and Jesus sandals, James works hard in the background, and is an information ‘pot of gold’ for all things Fearn Farm.
Fiona is originally from a family farm in Caithness, and moved to Fearn over 20 years ago originally working for Highland Rural Business Services before leaving to start a family and take on the financial side of the business.
Fiona is the glue in the operation – she keeps the wheels turning not only by looking after the finances but by assisting wherever she is required.
Fiona is in charge of our holiday accommodation and has led the team on the refurbishment of Shore our 5 bedroom hotel in the nearby seaboard villages.
John is the fourth generation of his family to farm at Fearn. He obtained an HND in agriculture in Edinburgh before travelling to NZ – that’s when the real learning started – and has continued to date, with John being awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2005.
In 2014, John was announced as the Farmers Weekly ‘Sheep Farmer of the Year’ and in 2013 won the ‘Future Farmer of the Year’. He is a former Quality Meat Scotland board member and has chaired the Scottish Sheep Sector Review for the Scottish Government.
Off farm John is chairperson of Farmstrong Scotland, President of the Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society, Chairperson of Friends of Fearn Abbey and Chairperson of TRACC Swimming pool campaign.