About us

Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we work with food and farming businesses to make them more profitable, competitive, and sustainable - #workingtogether to shape the future, today.

What we do

All our work helps facilitate farmers and food and drink businesses to work together effectively. Over the years we've expanded and developed subsidiary businesses - getting the right people together and making innovative advancements - to help benefit food, farming and rural Scotland.

Events & Training

Developing staff capability is one of the most effective ways to improve a co-op’s performance. Check out our events and training programme - most of which are open to non co-op members too.

Coming soon!

Membership

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.

What's New

See below for all the latest news, views and updates from us here at SAOS. Find all our latest videos on YouTube at: SAOS - working together in food and farming

Quarterly Newsletters

Annual reports

Growing Tomorrow's Leaders

Our GTL leadership development programme is designed for professionals in Scotland’s agriculture, food and drink, and wider land-based industries, helping develop the self-awareness, confidence and leadership capability needed to influence and lead in an increasingly complex environment.

"Leadership doesn’t happen by accident. It requires commitment, collaboration and long-term investment in people. Better-equipped leaders mean that organisations are stronger and our rural economy is in better shape to face the challenges of tomorrow.”

Tim Bailey, SAOS CEO

GTL 2026/27

The next cohort begins in Autumn 2026, with applications open from April.

Info for GTL 2026/27

Is Growing Tomorrow's Leaders the right programme for you?

Find out more about who the GTL programme is aimed at and how it develops participants.

Is GTL for you?

Why Growing Tomorrow's Leaders?

Watch our latest video on how GTL is helping strengthen the industry through developing our leaders.

Watch our 2026 video 'short' on GTL

Listen to the OnFARM podcast on GTL

The first GTL graduation day in 2023 was the subject of a great OnFARM podcast.

Hear first hand from some of the participants and also those closely involved in the programme.

Listen here