Top Award for Consultant Who Champions Women in Agriculture

_{Mary-Jane Lawrie with her award at the National Women in Agriculture Awards.}

SAC Consulting’s Mary-Jane Lawrie was last night named ‘Agricultural Advisor of the Year’ at a glittering ceremony in London.

Judges at the National Women in Agriculture Awards recognised her outstanding dedication and contribution to helping the advancement of women in the sector.

The awards, now in its second year, were established to ‘honour the trailblazing, innovating, and leading women across the UK’s agri-sectors’.

Since joining SAC Consulting in 2011, Mary-Jane has supported more than 270 farm businesses across the Lothians and Peeblesshire, advising on agri-environment schemes, carbon reduction, business planning, and biodiversity. But it is her groundbreaking work empowering women in agriculture that truly set her apart.

Mary-Jane has played a pivotal role setting up a network across the country, from Orkney to the Borders, bringing women together to exchange knowledge

Speaking after the event at the Connaught Rooms, Mary-Jane said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to have the work that you are so passionate about recognised.

“I am fully aware of the issues that women in agriculture face and this award signifies the importance and need to support the role of women across the sector and the exceptional qualities they bring to farming.”

In 2016, Mary-Jane recognised women were not equally represented at farming events and training courses.

She set out to establish a network of groups that could encourage women to come together for knowledge exchange, peer-to-peer learning, and confidence building.

After securing funding through Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS) which is delivered by SAC Consulting on behalf of the Scottish Government, Mary-Jane set up women in agriculture groups across Scotland.

There are now 12 successful local groups established right across the country and an online group for women who are unable to attend the in-person events as well as a Women in Agriculture Facebook group with over 2200 members.

The highlight of Mary-Jane’s efforts then came in 2024 when she organised the first National Women in Agriculture Conference for FAS, held at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

Chloe McCulloch, Head of SAC Consulting said: “Mary-Jane thoroughly deserves this recognition. She has worked tirelessly not just in her role as a consultant, but to help create space for women to connect, grow in confidence, and take their place in shaping the future of Scottish farming and crofting." 

For more information, visit SAC Consulting.

Posted by SAC Consulting on 07/05/2025