The finalists for the 2005 NFU Scotland Innovation Award, sponsored by Argent Energy, have been announced. Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell will announce the winner and runner-up and present the prizes at the NFUS AGM on Thursday 24 February in St Andrews.

The judging panel, made up of Argent Energy and NFUS representatives, short-listed four finalists, all of whom represented superb examples of how Scottish farmers are using innovation and diversification to further their businesses.

The details of the four finalists as follows:

Robert Bull has a croft in North Kessock, Ross-shire where he runs a flock of Cheviot ewes and a small herd of suckler cows. In 2001, Robert decided to open the Croft to school groups and adults with learning disabilities to enable them to learn about food, farming and the environment. Currently under construction is an education building, created using sustainable materials. The education centre will formally open in Spring 2005 and Robert hopes that Highland and Moray schools will make regular use of the facilities.

James Dick runs a gardening and ground maintenance business at Westhill in Aberdeenshire. The business, which was established in 1988, offers all types of gardening services to private individuals and companies and, since 2000, turnover has more than doubled. The expansion of the business has led to additional employment for other farming units in the area and enabled reinvestment into the farm business. James hopes to establish an extra branch to the business whereby garden waste can be recycled.

John Logan and his family established Blairmains Farm Shop and Coffee Bothy near Stirling in 2001. The shop provides a showcase for Scottish agricultural products to the general public and also fulfils the Logans' ambition of creating maximum co-operation among local businesses, as well as local employment. The business has grown entirely through word of mouth and further diversification has taken place since the shop opened in 2001.

Ian Niven and his wife own and run Gloagburn Farm Shop near Perth. Established in June 2003, the shop now welcomes 800-1000 customers a week and fulfils Ian's desire to provide a link between the consumer and the farm. This link gives the consumer confidence in what he/she is buying and also gives easy access to the countryside. The Nivens now aim to expand the business by further establishing Gloagburn Farm Shop as a brand in itself and promoting the business to both new and existing customers.

NFUS President John Kinnaird said:

"Many farmers have been diversifying their farms in different ways over recent years and all four of our finalists prove that innovative ideas and hard work can enhance their existing businesses and often create new businesses that are highly successful in their own right."

Chris Bond of Argent Energy said:

"We are pleased to have sponsored the Innovation Award again this year and as expected we have seen some superb and varied examples of innovative farm diversification. It is encouraging to see that farmers can not only create news ways of generating an income but also that in many cases they can successfully combine these activities with the traditional farming business.

"What is also heartening is that not only do all these finalists show superb innovation but they are also excellent examples of forward thinking in terms of operating to market demand, promoting education and employing sustainable resources."