Nominee Summary
Joyce Campbell is re imagining the role of a modern farmer: steward of the land, climate mitigator, community builder, and inspring rolemodel for future generations. Through engaging in a new model of peatland recovery through The Flow Country Green Finance Initiative, pioneering regenerative grazing, and active stewardship of the Armadale Gorge SSSI, she exemplifies excellence in enhancing our environment through land management. Her work not only ‘helps make it happen’—it lights the way for others.
What was the motivation behind the work which was undertaken?
Joyce Campbell, co-owner of Armadale Farm in Sutherland, has pioneered a transformative shift from traditional sheep grazing to low intensity beef cattle and holistic peatland restoration. Under her leadership, over 1,000 acres of degraded peatland are being re wetted in collaboration with Peatland ACTION and the Flow Country Green Finance Initiative, setting new benchmarks for climate-positive agriculture. Joyce’s restoration efforts focus on blocking drains, re-wetting peat, and managing grazing to restore hydrology and biodiversity. These actions enhance carbon sequestration, improve flood regulation, and support biodiversity restoration—outcomes beautifully captured in the NatureScot case study video in the supporting information.
Overcoming Challenges
Joyce has had to take a huge leap of faith to transform her traditional hill sheep farm into a regenerative agriculture business at significant financial risk to herself. However, her conviction to doing 'what's right' - for her, and her farm, her environment and her community, has driven her passionate vision to achieve greater outcomes. She's let go of the comfort zone, and stepped into a new world; and we're better off for it.
Including the community
Her emphasis on economic benefit for the local community, through job creation (including diversifying her farm household to include tourism accommodation) and driving benefit from carbon markets through engaging with the Flow Country Green Finance Initiative - a not-for-profit SCIO which drives community benefit from peatland restoration - demonstrates strategic, inclusive stewardship.
