The prize is part of the Helping it Happen Awards, organised by Scottish Land & Estates, which celebrates the innovation, determination and community spirit helping rural Scotland thrive.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Helping It Happen Awards, which have attracted almost 1,000 nominations and recognised more than 100 winners since their launch.

To mark the landmark year, this new Rural Champion Award was created – with a prize courtesy of the RCF.

The Rural Champion award will recognise an individual who has gone above and beyond, making a significant, lasting impact on their rural community in Scotland.

The finalists for this award are:

• Jillian Kennedy, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs

Jillian has strengthened rural communities through leadership in forestry, youth development and cross-sector collaboration. As a Senior Forest Manager and National Chair of SAYFC, she bridges farming and forestry, develops young people’s skills and confidence, and ensures rural voices are represented in national and European policy discussions.

• Emma Ruxton, Royal Northern Countryside Initiative

For a decade, Emma Ruxton has helped the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative connect young people with farming, food production and rural life. As Chair, she has expanded educational programmes, strengthened partnerships among farmers, businesses and volunteers, and helped RNCI reach almost 20,000 children across northern Scotland in 2024/25 alone.

• John Scott, Farmstrong Scotland

John Scott has helped build Farmstrong Scotland into a trusted, community-led wellbeing movement for farmers and crofters. Through events, practical resources and the Blether Together podcast, he has encouraged open conversations, reduced stigma and strengthened connections across rural Scotland, directly engaging more than 4,100 farmers and crofters and attracting over 102,000 website visits.