Lantra Scotland is delighted to welcome Alix Ritchie, Programme Director of Farmstrong Scotland and farmer in Perthshire, as a new member of the ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills) judging panel.

The ALBAS recognise the inspirational qualities and outstanding contributions that nominees from Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sector make, and the independent panel of judges play a key role in deciding who the finalists are for the high profile ceremony in Crieff Hydro Hotel early next year.

Alix has a wealth of experience in agriculture, currently working as the inaugural Programme Director of Farmstrong Scotland, a peer-to-peer initiative that empowers farmers and crofters to prioritise their social, mental and physical wellbeing. She also farms at Montalt Farm in Perthshire alongside her husband John where they have 100 suckler cows and 450 ewes.

Prior to Farmstrong, Alix worked as East Region Coordinator for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC), as Perth & Kinross Project Coordinator for the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) and as Health & Education Manager at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), where she developed educational tools like Farming Foodsteps and Mission Sustain—resources that integrate farming into the school curriculum and promote sustainable food systems.

A graduate of the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, Alix was previously part of the Women in Agriculture Scotland committee and is an advocate for educating the public about food and farming and promoting wellbeing in the farming sector.

Nominations for the ALBAS are still open and can be made here.