Agri Academy 2025

The Farming Connect Agri Academy aims to:

  • Improve your understanding of the matters that affect the success of your business
  • Improve your awareness of the opportunities and threats that face your business in the future
  • Support personal development through workshops and seminars
  • Offer opportunities to meet industry experts and business leaders
  • Create an environment to improve business management skills
  • Build a network of the most forward-looking agri-business people in Wales

Candidates will receive one-to-one support from an experienced mentor. The ‘Academy Challenge’ will involve preparing a management plan for a working family farm.

The application window for Agri Academy 2025 is now closed.

Initiation & Introductions 

Royal Welsh Show

22 July 2025

SESSION 1: 

 

Ceredigion

12 - 14 September 2025

SESSION 2: 

Overseas study visit

Japan
 

27 September  - 05 October 2025

SESSION 3:  

TBC
 

07 - 09 November 2025

AGRI ACADEMY CEREMONY 

Royal Welsh Winter Fair 

24 November 2025

*Destinations for the overseas study visits may be subject to change due to external factors.

Candidates for the Agri Academy must be over 21 years old. Candidates under the age of 21 can apply for the Junior Academy. All candidates must be registered with Farming Connect and must complete a Personal Development Plan on their BOSS account.

IMPORTANT – applicants must attend all of the sessions above and must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the study visit. Failure to commit fully to the whole Agri Academy experience can result in expulsion from the programme and a requirement to repay the costs of the trip. Members cannot be absent from residential sessions, unless either of the following apply

  • Immediate family bereavement
  • Personal illness and a valid doctor's note
  • Urgent and unavoidable care responsibilities for a dependent

For more information, speak with some Agri Academy alumni or contact your Local Development Officer.


The successful candidates for our 2025 Agri Academy 

Huw Thomas
Huw Thomas

Llanspyddid, Brecon

Ifan Mars Jones
Ifan Mars Jones

Denbigh, Conwy

Laura Evans
Laura Evans

Tregaron, Cardiganshire

Llifon Davies
Llifon Davies

Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire

Lucy Eyre
Lucy Eyre

Welshpool, Powys

Marcus Ferraro
Marcus Ferraro

Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire

Reuben Powell
Reuben Powell

Llandrindod Wells, Powys

Siwan Roberts
Siwan Roberts

Llanwddyn, Oswestry

Sophie Hughes
Sophie Hughes

Sontley, Wrexham

William John McFarland
William John McFarland

Pembroke, Pembrokeshire

Ynyr Mon Pugh
Ynyr Mon Pugh

Machynlleth, Powys