Jahama New Farm Manager Part of “Inspiration” Vision

Jahama Highland Estates want to become a “beacon of inspiration” for landscape-based asset management and hiring 25 year old Chloe Malcolm as farm manager is their latest step. Chloe represents a departure from the usual demographic of farm managers – Only 16% of farm managers in Scotland are female, and only 4% are under 35.

Ms Malcolm has been brought in with a mandate to innovate and enhance Jahama’s meat offering, continuing to rear native sheep, expanding into native cattle and possibly venison. As well as providing local food, it is hoped this will enhance their carbon-rich grazing land.

Scotland Should Look Overseas For Ideas On Land Reform

Scotland should look overseas to diverse countries such as Norway, Mexico and the US in its attempts to shift power from private landlords toward communities, according to a new report for the Scottish Land Commission. They said drawing on international experience would help boost land reform effort and enhance “collective wellbeing and prosperity”.

A variety of international models were examined including community ownership by indigenous people, co-operative business models, municipal ownership and commonage, and Community Land Trusts. It is hoped that the international research will help shape a reform that works for Scotland.

Community ownership is already a big feature of the Western Isles where two-thirds of the land is under community ownership and have benefited from increased investment, population retention, employment creation and sustainable land management. Despite the positive impact community ownership has had, there are several hurdles to overcome, including legislative and administrative hurdles, limited funding, conflict and division within the community and limited community capacity.

The SLC hope that the expansion of community ownership in Scotland can deliver benefits for communities, as is the case in many other countries.

‍