What significant contribution has the nominee made to their rural community?
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) is a charitable organisation dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of farming, food production and the working countryside among young people aged 3–18 across the North of Scotland for nearly 30 years. For the past 10 years, Emma Ruxton has been involved in this mission, making an exceptional contribution to rural education and community engagement. Emma has been involved in every aspect of RNCI's work, from delivering classroom and driving the countryside classroom on wheels around the schools, to organising farm visits, taking part in STEM and sustainability events, and major agricultural showcases such as the Royal Northern Spring Show, Beef Tech and the Royal Highland Show. Her enthusiasm and commitment have helped thousands of young people gain a greater understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of Scotland’s rural industries. As Chair of RNCI, Emma has played a pivotal role in bringing together farmers, local businesses and volunteers to support educational programmes and events. Through her leadership, she has
strengthened relationships across the rural community, creating a network of people united by a shared passion for Scottish agriculture and food production. Emma’s dedication extends far beyond her formal role. Whether volunteering at events, fundraising through challenges such as climbing Ben Nevis and cycling the Speyside Way, or spending countless evenings supporting RNCI projects, she consistently goes above and beyond. Her drive, determination and unwavering commitment have left a lasting impact on rural communities and helped inspire the next generation.
What has been the impact on their rural community?
The impact of the RNCI team can be seen both in the growing reach of RNCI’s educational programmes and in the stronger connections that have been built across rural communities. In the 2024/25 academic year alone, RNCI engaged with almost 20,000 children and young people across the North of Scotland, a figure that continues to increase year on year. Through these experiences, young people gain a greater understanding of farming, food production, environmental stewardship and the vital role rural industries play in everyday life. Beyond education, Emma and the team have helped foster a strong sense of community by encouraging local farmers, businesses, volunteers and supporters to become actively involved in RNCI’s work. Their ability to bring people together has created a network of individuals who are passionate about promoting and protecting Scotland’s rural heritage. Community events such as RNCI’s Lambing Bingo has generated significant local interest and engagement, creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with farming in a fun and accessible way. RNCI has become a highly respected and well-established organisation with deep roots in the rural community. Emma recently took part in the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, where she gained additional valuable skills to try to drive the charity forward positively. The lasting impact is not only measured in the thousands of children reached each year, but also in the strengthened community spirit, increased awareness of Scottish agriculture, and the collective pride and support for rural Scotland that RNCI continues to inspire.
How have they involved their rural community?
Emma has been instrumental in ensuring that RNCI is truly community-led, bringing together people from across the rural sector to support its educational mission. The organisation relies on a wide network of farm hosts, volunteer helpers, committee members, supporters and benefactors, all of whom play a vital role in delivering RNCI’s programmes and events. Through Emma’s enthusiasm and leadership, these relationships have continued to grow and strengthen. She actively encourages local businesses to become involved through sponsorship and support, highlighting the importance of corporate social responsibility and the value of investing in the next generation’s understanding of farming and food production. Her ability to engage people from different backgrounds has helped create a strong and sustainable support network for the charity. Fundraising and community events have provided further opportunities for involvement. Recent initiatives such as the Charity Ben Nevis Hike, the Speyside Way Challenge and Lambing Bingo attracted excellent support from across the rural community, bringing people together while raising vital funds for RNCI’s work. Emma and the team also ensure that RNCI contributes to the wider rural community by supporting and participating in other organisations’ events, including those organised by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society, the Royal Highland Education Trust, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), and the Royal Highland Show. Through these partnerships and collaborations, she has helped position RNCI as a valued and trusted part of Scotland’s rural community, with people eager to contribute to and benefit from its work.