21 July 2026
Meet the Agri Academy Class of 2026, where 24 exceptional individuals have been chosen to participate in this year's programme.
The Academy is split into two categories which are the Agri Academy – for individuals over 21 and aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of farming entrepreneurs and business leaders and the Junior Academy – aimed at supporting young people aged between 16 and 21 years who hope to carve out a career or set up a business in the food or farming industries.
The successful candidates will kick off their journey with a welcome reception at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday, 21 July where the names of the 2026 cohorts will be announced to key industry stakeholders, including Llyr Huws Gruffydd MS, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability.
Participants of the 2026 Agri Academy and Junior Academy are set to dive into an intensive programme of expert training, 1:1 mentoring, and dedicated support. Spread across three immersive residential sessions, including an exciting overseas study visit, this unique experience is designed to fuel personal growth, expand professional networks, and spark fresh ideas, opening doors to incredible new opportunities for their futures.
Representing every corner of Wales and a wide range of agricultural backgrounds, the Agri Academy Class of 2026 reflects the diversity, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit of Welsh agriculture.
Among this year’s Senior Agri Academy participants is Angharad Parsons, who made the transition from a career in the NHS to farming full-time after returning to support her family farm in Mid Glamorgan. Now managing a 250-acre sheep enterprise and a flock of around 400 breeding ewes, she is focused on improving efficiency, exploring diversification opportunities and developing regenerative farming approaches.
Also joining the programme is Richard James Jones from Dolgellau, who manages a 430-acre diversified farming and tourism business in Eryri. Since taking over the family farm in 2020, he has combined traditional sheep and cattle farming with glamping, holiday accommodation and equestrian enterprises, whilst pursuing opportunities in sustainability, conservation and renewable energy.
The Junior Academy cohort showcases equally impressive young talent. Abigail Jones from Brecon combines academic excellence in the sciences with practical farming experience on her family’s mixed farm. With ambitions to study Biology at university, she hopes to bring together science and agriculture to support a sustainable future for Welsh farming.
Another participant, George Thomas, is a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Carmarthenshire who has already taken on significant responsibility within his family’s 400-head dairy enterprise whilst helping to develop a successful diversification venture that attracts visitors from across Wales.
Together, the 2026 Agri Academy and Junior Academy participants represent the future of Welsh agriculture – bringing together future farm managers, business owners, innovators, advisers and entrepreneurs who share a commitment to building resilient, productive and sustainable rural businesses. Through the programme, they will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, challenge their thinking, expand their networks and develop the skills needed to lead Welsh agriculture into the future.
Einir Davies, Head of Lifelong Learning, Future Generations & Succession at Mentera, said:
"Each year, the Agri Academy brings together some of the most promising and ambitious individuals from across Welsh agriculture, and the 2026 cohort is no exception. This year's participants represent a wide range of backgrounds, from established family farming businesses and livestock enterprises to agricultural advisers, young entrepreneurs and future industry leaders. What unites them is a clear desire to learn, challenge themselves and play a positive role in shaping the future of Welsh agriculture."
The impact of the Agri Academy extends well beyond the programme itself, and this year provides a powerful example of its lasting legacy.
For the first time, both the Senior and Junior Academy programmes will be led by former Agri Academy participants.
Leading the Senior Academy is Ioan Humphreys, an experienced farm business owner and social media influencer who manages a 400-acre mixed livestock enterprise in Powys. Having successfully diversified the business into poultry production and built a strong online presence, he brings extensive experience in business development, public engagement and communication. Ioan Humphreys is passionate about inspiring the next generation of farmers and helping them unlock their potential.
The Junior Academy will be led by Caryl Gruffydd Roberts, a 2013 Rural Leadership Programme participant who has built a distinguished career in the agricultural sector. Currently serving as Group Commercial Director at the Farmers' Union of Wales, she has extensive experience in strategic leadership, governance, membership development and business growth. Throughout her career, she has championed the development of people and rural communities and is committed to nurturing future leaders within Welsh agriculture.
Their appointments have been made possible through the Agri Academy Alumni Scholarship, an initiative designed to strengthen the Academy's alumni network by creating opportunities for former participants to share their experience, knowledge and leadership with future cohorts. By bringing successful alumni back into the programme, Farming Connect is helping to ensure that the lessons, networks and inspiration gained through the Academy continue to benefit Welsh agriculture for generations to come.
Biographies and photographs of all candidates are available on the Farming Connect website.