Jessica Williams

Jessica was brought up on an organic hill farm above Harlech, North Wales, farming Pedigree Welsh Black cattle and a flock of Welsh mountain sheep. At the age of 18 Jessica took on the tenancy of a 30 acre smal holding and started her own herd of Pedigree Welsh Black cattle and flock of Pedigree Lleyn sheep. Jessica has since had success with the herd, winning Small Herd of the Year 2008, Reserve Female of the Year 2012, and Bull of the Year 2016.

In 2008 Jessica was selected as the Welsh Black Cattle Society Young Ambassador, and during her year in office was also fortunate enough to win the Hybu Cig Cymru scholarship which enabled her to travel to Australia to visit farms keeping Welsh Black Cattle and to attend the 2nd International Welsh Black World Conference. The trip to Australia gave her an insight into the beef and sheep industry in Australia, as well as further increasing her knowledge of the Agricultural industry.

Jessica studied a four year sandwich course at University in Cardiff before gaining a First Class Honours degree in Environmental Health in 2006. During her placement year, she spent time working in all aspects of Environmental Health which included working with Port Health Authorities and inspecting meat in abattoirs where she gained her qualification as a veterinary auxiliary. She then began her career as an Environmental Health Officer for a Local Authority specialising in Food Safety. Jessica now works as a Public Protection Officer covering Food Safety, Infectious Diseases, Food Standards and Health & Safety. However, since having twins, she has reduced her hours to part time, working 3 days a week for Gwynedd Council, with the rest of the week spread out between working on the family farm and her Agrisgôp work.

Jessica now lives on a beef and sheep farm in Bryncrug with her husband Hugh. They farm a flock of 700 Welsh mountain ewes, 50 Pedigree Lleyns and 100 cross bred ewes as well as a herd of Pedigree Welsh Black cattle. They have recently also installed a commercial biomass system.

In 2016, Jessica successfully applied for a place on the Agri Academy Rural Leadership Programme. As part of this programme she travelled to Brussels to visit the European Parliament, enhancing her political awareness and understanding of the agricultural policy making process in Europe.