Throughout the four nations of the UK so far this year since April 2014, 37 new Associates (ARAgS) have been awarded and coincidentally 37 advancements to Fellowship (FRAgS) have been made plus one (exceptional ) direct election. Nobody applies to join but potential candidates recognised for their outstanding contributions to agricultural progress within the UK are invited to apply by the National Panel of CARAS in their UK nation of residence and objectively assessed.  The quest for people worthy of such recognition is, like painting the Forth Road Bridge, a continual search. The resulting Body of almost 1200 members represents a dynamic pool of wide experience and independent thought for the public good of British Agriculture, UK Society – and beyond.

Meetings held recently in each of the four nations have seen new members and those newly advanced to Fellowship being presented with their certificates:-

• In Northern Ireland, this took place in May 2014 at the new site of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, which has relocated from its cramped Belfast city site to the former Maze Prison where space allows creative development and inspiring re-use. Members have enjoyed a McConnell Farm visit and other gatherings during the year.
• In Scotland, the Reception for receipt of certificates was at The Royal Highland Show in June 2014 with the swirl of bagpipes and the buzz of debate about Scotland’s future within the UK ahead of their September 2014 vote mingling with excellent livestock lines and variety. In February 2015, members held their conference on Planning for Tomorrow’s Generation.
• In Wales, new members and those advanced to Fellowship crowed into a large pavilion during the Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells in July 2014 where Welsh Cobs and other horses delighted the many visitors and diverse displays brought all ages together. In February, members held a conference on The Future of Agriculture – Productivity or Ecology.
• In England, certificates were presented in February 2015 in the House of Lords, London. Members in England had toured north Lincolnshire and Blenheim Estate, Oxfordshire in 2014 as well as holding seminars round the country, including Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) collaboration on Innovation in Agriculture.

2015 is the UN Year of the Soil – so watch this space! Since 2014 was the UN Year of the Family Farm, members considered the role of such farms – 500 million of 570 million farms worldwide:-

The Dynamics between Family & Farm at the Heart of Global Ecosystem Security