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Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we provide a range of specialist information and development services to help businesses work together more effectively. #workingtogether we grow

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Now more than ever, it’s vital for farmers and food and drink businesses to work together more effectively - all of SAOS’s work centres on facilitating this.

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As a development organisation, owned by our members, we provide a range of specialist services not available elsewhere, to assist them in developing their people and their businesses. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.

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Trying hard to be free of doom and gloom, our 'A-Z for a Bright Future' shared 26 reasons why there’s much to be optimistic about in the food and farming sector for 2021 and beyond. We believe that with ambition and focus, and by working together more effectively, we can find and maximise opportunities.


Our speakers looked at some of our A-Z topics more closely and the other topics were covered in 'expo booths'. Scroll down and click on the individual letters below for each topic.

  • Tim Bailey, our CEO, outlined SAOS’s V for Vision of how we can become more sustainable for the future by working together
  • James Withers of Scotland Food & Drink found it hard to be 100% positive in January, but outlined that there are O for Opportunities
  • Anna Robertson and George Noble of SAOS explored how we can use D for Data to help with the challenges of reaching our Net Zero target
  • Bob Yuill spoke about the need to have the infrastructure in place to get Scotland better connected in C for Connectivity
  • Claire Dyce and Mark Clark of Grampian Growers talked about how A for Adding value to primary products is a key to unlock new markets and improve farmer profitability
  • Jim Booth and Alan Stevenson of SAOS showed how W for Working Together effectively has provided business benefits for our member co-ops and in our supply chain work
  • Tim Bailey closed the conference by highlighting how sympathetic Government P for Policy is needed to help with all of the above.

Conference Expo Booths

The other reasons to feel positive were covered in our expo booths which we know not everyone got round to visiting. Several of these we handed over to partner organisations to share their positive views, and also our sponsors NFU Mutual, and Ledingham Chalmers hosted booths.

T for Teamwork

“The SAOS team walked/rode/run 1,685 miles for RSABI!! An amazing commitment and everyone at RSABI hugely grateful. Thank you!”

Nina Clancy, RSABI

“…our future has to be a balance between local, national and international I believe. The last year of pressures (and last 3 weeks!) has shown the importance of having a balanced set of customers, round the corner and round the world.”

Conference Attendee

“Well done to everyone involved from up here in the Shetland Isles, thoroughly enjoyed it, these virtual events allow us to attend without the cost of leaving the island. Thank you!”

Conference Attendee

“Great event everyone. If you can, please take a moment to listen to the SAOS episodes within the OnFARM podcasts at: www.podfollow.com/onfarm”

Anna Davies, Scene & Herd PR

“...We need to sell the benefits of co-operation for both financial and wider community benefit, also get more structured support and incentives to enable co-operation of all kinds.”

Tim Bailey, SAOS

“From our experience (Rural Youth Project) our rural (so wider than just farming) millennials and Gen Zs 'get' the need for cooperation and sustainability. It is hard wired into their DNA, particularly when they have lived been away from their home communities, lived in an urban environment or travelled. This gives me great hope.”

Jane Craigie, JCM

“Hi all. Quick question, and lets all be honest..... who has eaten their biscuits already??”

Conference Attendee