East Ayrshire sheep farmer Cora Cooper has been recognised with a national award for her commitment to sustainable farming.
Cora Cooper (centre) receiving her Sustainability Champion at the National Women In Agriculture awards.
Ms Cooper, who runs a hill farm with her husband David, was named Sustainability Champion at the National Women in Agriculture awards ceremony in London. She is also vice chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) Scotland.
The first-generation farmer raises native-breed Herdwick and Welsh Mountain sheep across 5,000 acres in East Ayrshire using nature-friendly farming methods.
Her approach includes adaptive mob grazing, with sheep regularly moved between paddocks to allow the land to recover, and the restoration of 2,000 acres of peatland to improve biodiversity and increase carbon sequestration.
Speaking after receiving the award, Cora said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this award, and a proud moment for a Scottish hill farm to be recognised on a national stage in London.
“This recognition highlights the essential role hill farming plays in supporting biodiversity, helping tackle climate change, and safeguarding food security for future generations.
“As a mum of three, it also means so much to show my children that with passion, hard work and belief in what you do, you really can achieve amazing things.”
As vice chair of NFFN Scotland, Ms Cooper also helps support the farmer-led organisation’s work to promote nature-friendly farming through knowledge-sharing events and engagement with politicians and policymakers.
NFFN Scotland manager Nim Kibbler said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Cora, and this national recognition is incredibly well deserved. Cora is a fantastic example of how Scottish hill farming can lead the way in tackling climate change and boosting biodiversity, all while running a viable and productive business.
“Through her dedication to restoring peatlands and managing her grazing thoughtfully, she proves that working alongside nature is not just an idealistic ambition; it is a practical and rewarding reality. Having Cora as one of our vice chairs is a privilege, and her success shines a brilliant light on what can be achieved when passion meets hard work on the hills.”
NFFN Scotland is calling for a comprehensive support package to help farmers transition to farming systems that work with nature, create space for biodiversity and reduce reliance on high-input methods while maintaining food production.