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The Tour

Following the success of The Doug Avery Tour, a steering group was created to develop a new wellbeing programme, Farmstrong Scotland. This programme is now live and can be found at www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk.

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Doug Avery is a farmer from New Zealand. After extreme drought, battles with mental health and his business facing financial difficulties, he made some life changing decisions that saved him and his business.

Doug will be travelling around Scotland telling his story; his insights will give inspiration to anyone looking or needing to change their approach to business and/or life. 

As we face the uncertainty of what comes post-Brexit and the challenges of poor weather, the timing of Doug’s visit couldn’t be better. 

The meetings will be free of charge but booking is required so we can accommodate numbers appropriately (see links below). The tour is being supported by a number of businesses and organisations involved in Scotland’s farming and rural sectors.

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Listen to the Rock and Roll Farming podcast

"Everyone needs to hear Doug speak -  inspirational for our industry."

Tour Dates 2018

Please click on the link to reserve your place as spaces are limited.

The meetings are free.

Thu 13 Sep

Ednam House Hotel, Kelso 19:30

Mon 17 Sep
Tue 18 Sep

Perth Ice Rink, Perth  19.30

Forfar Mart, Forfar  10.00

Tue 18 Sep

Thainstone Mart, Inverurie 19.30

Thu 20 Sep

Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore  19.00

Fri 21 Sep
Sun 23 Sep

Dingwall Mart, Dingwall 12.30

Pentland Hotel, Thurso 18.00

Mon 24 Sep

Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkney  19.30

Tue 25 Sep

Lanark Agricultural Centre, Lanark  19.30

Wed 26 Sep

GG's Yard at Laggan, Gatehouse of Fleet  19.00

Sold Out
Thu 27 Sep

UWS/SRUC Campus, Ayr  19.30

Mon 01 Oct

Isle of Mull Hotel, Isle of Mull. 19:30

Tue 02 Oct

Corran Halls, Oban  19.30

Thu 04 Oct

United Auctions, Stirling 19.30

These free meetings will be approximately two hours.​

If you have any queries about the tour please contact Laura McCafferty on 0131 335 6241 or lmccafferty@rhass.org.uk

Tour Dates

"Leading edge presenter in the rural scene.

Informative and light-hearted about a serious issue." 

ABOUT DOUG

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Smashed by years of drought, eastern Marlborough farmers Doug and Wendy Avery realised in 1998 they needed to change direction not only in their lives but also in his farming methods. A seminar by Dr Derrick Moot, a senior plant science professor of Lincoln University, followed by a science project facilitated by the NZ Land Care Trust, led not only to Bonavaree Farm (the Avery Property at Grassmere) transforming, but also the lives of Doug, Wendy and their family.

 

The farm which struggled with just Doug and Wendy and a gross income of $320,000 today employs 5 full time people and lots of busy contractors, and today gross Income has soared to $3,500,000. The Starborough Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group which Doug chaired, won a Green Ribbon in 2008 for leadership in improving drought affected land. The Avery family were South Island Farmers of the Year in 2010 and Marlborough District Council Environment Award winners in 2011.  In 2012 Doug was made a Land Care Ambassador by the NZ Land Care Trust in recognition of his environmental work and in 2013 Doug was named Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year for his work on radio, video, TV, print and stage. 

In 2017 Doug was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his services to agriculture and mental health. One of Doug’s favourite quotes: “We are each given two hands, one to help ourselves, and one to help others.” (Audrey Hepburn)

Wendy and Doug set up a company called Resilient Farmer aimed at promoting and assisting other farmers make a similar journey to a more resilient future. The couple have just started running “Woolshed Workshops” which they hope will grow individual personal life and business skills.

 

Doug’s book “The Resilient Farmer” was New Zealand’s largest publishers' second best-selling book in its first year of release.

Recently Doug and Wendy moved off the farm to make way for younger staff. They still own 50% of the now 2300 ha, 19,000 stock unit sheep, beef, cropping and dairy support farm, but their eldest son Fraser and his wife Shelley now run that business.  Doug now calls himself a storyteller and is a sought after speaker in agricultural circles across New Zealand and Australia. This speaking is now flowing over into urban organisations, schools and even a top rugby franchise.

Doug is a strong and entertaining speaker and his addresses are always humouring but laced with deep messaging. Since launching his book he has spoken to over 11,000 people in NZ and Australia.

About Doug

Visit Doug's Website

Visit Doug's Website 

Resillent Farmer

and find out more about 

his journey

Watch Doug on Video

Watch Doug talking about bouncing back to water management, the circles of life and rural delivery.

Read Doug's First Book

Read Doug's book  - emotional resilience in the face of what seemed a hopeless situation. 

Follow Doug's Social Media

Follow Doug during his journey across Scotland as he shares his story and helps others

Contact Details

If you have any queries about the tour please contact Laura McCafferty on 0131 335 6241 or lmccafferty@rhass.org.uk

 

If you have any press enquiries please contact susannah@janecraigie.com

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