youngsRPS Rural Brochure - Flipbook - Page 37
A HANDS ON APPROACH
We speak to Harry Morshead, Director at youngsRPS, about how his life as
an active farmer compliments his work as a Rural Chartered Surveyor.
H
ow did you begin your career as Rural
Chartered Surveyor alongside farming?
I’ve always been in and around farming having grown
up on a farm at home. I spent four years at Edinburgh
University, where I read politics, however, I think I
spent more time on the A68 than actually in Edinburgh
as I would spend large parts of the week at home
farming. When I left Edinburgh, I spent six years
farming at home, before a brief chat with Robbie
Hutchinson, who persuaded me to change direction a
little. From that point, I enrolled on a postgraduate
master’s degree at Harper Adams, this was part time
and allowed me to work for youngsRPS whilst studying
Rural Estate and Land Management. A few years later,
the chance to take on the tenancy at my now home
appeared and I took it.
permitting, it’s normally alright. I tend to think that
otherwise it’s one weekend a month to do a lot of the
main jobs. But ultimately, it’s just a matter of making it
work!
Has farming always been part of your life?
On my mother’s side yes. My father was a National
Hunt Jockey, but my mother and her family farmed in
partnership when I was younger.
I was quite ill as a child and missed about 3-4 years of
school in various stages. My house master told me
recently that it was co incidental that it was often at
lambing time… not sure what he meant by that!
How have recent government policies and
announcements impacted your day-to-day work,
I feel that being an active farmer, allows me to see
things from my clients perspective
both at youngsRPS and on your farm?
Fortunately, I manged to get into an SFI scheme before
they closed it this year, so that will provide a bit of a
What does a typical week look like for you,
managing the business as well as life on the farm?
The week largely depends on the time of the year.
safety net for the farm at home. Work wise, we’re
seeing lots of people asking questions and naturally
worrying. Our job is to try and help clients find a
solution and advise how best to plan and mitigate.
Fortunately, the sheep I have are fairly low
maintenance. Lambing time is a bit more intense, but if
I can do a few hours in the morning and the rest in the
evening, with perhaps a quick look around during
lunchtime, then fingers crossed, and weather
What’s your take on the current uncertainty facing
farming families?
Incomes are already low and will be impacted further
with the subsidy announcements, this is a real worry for
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