Lantra Awards 2024

 

The judging panel were unanimous in agreeing that Peter Rees, a former college lecturer and enormously popular leading figurehead within Wales’ land-based and dairy sectors, is an outstanding and very deserving winner of this year’s Lantra Lifetime Achievement Award.

They paid tribute to his outstanding record of educating generations of young people working in the rural sectors, for his work in developing Gelli Aur into a centre of excellence for the dairy industry in Wales and for his ongoing work with Lantra Wales, which he chaired for eight years; Farming Connect, where he served on the Strategic Advisory Board and training sub-group; and the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Brought up on a large farm near Llandovery, Mr Rees remains closely involved in his family’s dairy partnership as well as their touring caravan and tourism enterprise.  A Nuffield Farming scholar, Mr Rees’ contribution to education and technology transfer to the Welsh dairy sector was recognised with the award of a Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS). 

This year’s recipient is new entrant Sean Jeffreys from Ffairfach near Llandeilo.  Having helped out at his grandparents’ smallholding from a young age, Sean knew the career he wanted. Unfortunately, having not been born into a farming family, he thought there was little chance of that dream being realised.  Now thanks to Farming Connect’s Venture programme matching him up with Ian Rickman, the current president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, he is a business partner at Mr Rickman’s 84 hectare upland farm near Llandeilo. Mr. Rickman has been able to scale back from day-to-day farming to focus on his many other commitments.  Under Sean’s judicious management, ewe numbers have increased significantly, and the two business partners are already focused on growing the business yet further and planning ‘more sheep’! 

The judging panel were unanimous in selecting Sean, agreeing that he is an outstanding and well-deserving winner of this year’s Brynle Williams Memorial award. 

Tony is a fifth-generation organic tenant farmer in the Elan Valley, with a long-standing passion for farming sustainably and reducing carbon emissions at his ‘off grid’ agriculture business.

He first discovered Biochar when looking for a sustainable method of using Molinia grass which not only impacts on species diversity and habitat but also decreases the agricultural productivity of land.

Tony attended an International Biochar Institute conference in Finland through Farming Connect’s Management Exchange Programme and was involved with a Farming Connect European Innovation Project (EIP Wales) trialling compost and wool added to Biochar.  He has created new employment opportunities for collecting grass and branches for processing into Biochar, manages sales from a website, manufactures kilns locally with products selling to councils, estates, gardeners and farmers throughout the UK.  The judges said Tony’s commitment to innovative, sustainable farming makes him an outstanding and well-deserved winner of this year’s Farm Innovator Award. 

Brigitte grew up on a beef and sheep farm and started farming independently aged 23 as a tenant farmer in the Swansea Valley. Today, this busy mum of three farms alongside her partner.  She is a county councillor and works as an administrator for a local company that provides training and support for the drone industry.

Having honed her skills on book-keeping, VAT and ‘making tax digital’ through Farming Connect business training, Brigitte is responsible for all the farm’s book-keeping as well as managing livestock.  Brigitte soon realised the potential of utilising drone technology within farming.  Now a qualified drone pilot, she is currently developing content for her own training course. The judges said Brigitte’s ability to ‘think outside the box’, spot a new opportunity and invest time in skills that enable her to create a new income source makes her a worthy runner-up for the Farm Innovator Award.

Mother and son Dianna and Iestyn Spary are hands-on farmers, intent on delivering the highest standards of animal health and welfare.  ‘Quality ahead of quantity’ is their mantra and by acquiring the necessary skills through Farming Connect, their herd of pedigree Hereford cattle achieve optimum performance and productivity levels.

Dianna is the fifth generation to farm at Goytre, and Iestyn is determined that when it’s time for him to step up, he’s ready!  Having already attended ‘the highest number of Farming Connect animal health workshops in a year’ both of them are convincing advocates for lifelong learning, leading by example.

With topics including animal husbandry, nutrition, biosecurity, reducing their reliance on anti-microbials and a host of other critical factors now an integral part of their daily ‘animal health planning’ regime, their commitment to learning and putting into practice their new-found knowledge makes them worthy winners of this award.

James farms with his family in Monmouthshire where they keep a flock of 250 ewes and 50 suckler cows, with calves sold at between eight and 12 months old as stores.  James also runs his own business JP Mole Control.  Moles are a particular hazard for farmers, spoiling silage, causing listeria and reducing the grazing area of fields.  His expanding client list ranges from farms and estates to hotels, sports grounds, schools, churchyards and householders. James has strengthened many farming practices having attended Farming Connect animal health workshops, particularly on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).  He now checks the BVD status of all cattle bought in, tags and tests each one, taking every precaution to avoid infection.

The judges were impressed with James’ commitment to ongoing personal development and applauded his ‘there is always something to learn’ attitude which has enabled him to set up a successful business alongside practising high standards of animal health and welfare. 

Richard returned to full-time sheep farming in his mid 20s, having worked in a government agency for six years which he followed with an 18 month working trip to large-scale farms in Australia and New Zealand.  He returned to Wales in time to find work during the lambing season of 2013, soon set up a contract shepherding business and established his own flock at the family farm where he now farms in partnership with his dad.

However, because he had not studied agriculture after school, Richard felt there were gaps in his skillset and set about redressing the balance through Farming Connect. The judges said that Richard’s clear thirst for learning and determination to develop additional skills in areas such as production costs, grassland and livestock management, conservation, woodland and carbon management, shows an outstanding commitment to personal development, making him a very worthy winner of this Learner of the Year award. 
 

Alicia is a second-year undergraduate student studying for a BSc in Agri-business at Harper Adams University. Most of her free time is spent helping out at her family’s mixed dairy and arable farm.  As a teenager, she successfully ran her own free-range pig enterprise, becoming proficient not only as a pig breeder and handler but gaining business skills too. Since then, in addition to her university studies, Alicia has undertaken numerous Farming Connect courses in topics including marketing, Health & Safety, risk assessment and numerous livestock-related courses – gaining practical skills she utilises at the home farm.  Energetic, focused on learning and determined to succeed in what has traditionally been a predominantly ‘male’ sector, the judges all agreed Alicia has a very bright career ahead and that her commitment to personal development will undoubtedly take her far.

Jonathan is not only a hard-worker, but a keen and dedicated learner too, using the training and skills he has gained through Farming Connect at the family farm as well as other local businesses for whom he provides contracting services. He also has a part-time role as a drover for Ruthin Market where he enjoys meeting and learning from other experienced farmers happy to share their perspective on ‘all things farming’!

Through Farming Connect, Jonathan has obtained his pesticides sprayer licence and undertaken training in topics ranging from first aid to sheep dipping, cattle foot trimming and sheep scanning.  These courses have not only given him skills that reduce the farm’s outgoings reducing the farm’s reliance on external contractors, but his increased knowledge is a winner with potential employers too. The judges said Jonathan’s commitment to continual personal development is impressive and his future career progression is assured.      

Matthew was brought up on a farm and is never more at home than when in the fields or amongst the trees. It’s actually the latter, rather than livestock farming, where he sees his future career prospects. He already has a full-time role he loves with a local silviculture company.   Aware that he doesn’t have a relevant degree, Matthew is determined to augment the practical experience he gains from his job through Farming Connect accredited training courses.

Studying ‘Basic tree inspection’, ‘Medium tree training and inspection’, pesticides courses, chainsaw operation, grey squirrel training and First Aid are all areas of knowledge that he utilises not only in his job, but also at the family farm.  The judges were all impressed by Matthew’s keenness to learn specialist skills that will support farmers wanting to become more knowledgeable about sustainable woodland management at this critical time when environmental matters are a key focus for all.  
 

The judges found this a particularly strong category, with nominations all of a high calibre. They were unanimous in awarding Julie her winner award saying that her unwavering commitment to skills and training, both for her own personal development as well as that of the farm’s workforce was especially commendable.  A Harper Adams University graduate, Julie has helped her husband set up a successful animal feed business ‘adding value to what we grow’ which is run alongside the arable, beef and sheep farm. Product development, developing accreditation and quality systems, marketing and business management are just part of her impressive skillset.

Julie’s dedicated attitude to personal development is outstanding and she is currently focused on a range of environmental courses as well as ‘people management’ training which she says are strengthening farm practices.  The judges said Julie has consistently demonstrated ability, drive and exceptional forward planning skills, making her a deserving winner of this award.  
 

Alison balances a busy life between her role as a full-time rural adviser and working on the family farm.  She has undertaken a range of business and environmental courses – many to refresh skills she already had - through Farming Connect, in addition to other professional training.  The judges felt her commitment to lifelong learning, and to utilising the knowledge acquired almost every day, particularly in terms of sustainable land management, makes her a worthy runner-up for this award.

A keen advocate for supporting young people working with the land-based sectors, Alison facilitates students on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Leadership Programme and is an adviser for the Farming Connect masterclass on red meat. Passionate about sustainability and protecting the environment, a large part of her work involves helping clients understand and comply with the new Agriculture Pollution Regulations. 
 

The judges said Eirlys’ enthusiasm, dynamism and focus was inspirational.  They described her approach to learning, as providing an ‘excellent example’ of acquiring new skills which have made her even more determined to keep her ‘continual professional development’ journey going as she helps grow the farm business for the next generation.

A partner and hands-on farmer, her role combines animal husbandry duties with all the business and financial paperwork it takes not just to run ‘a tight ship’ but to diversify too.  Eirlys completed Farming Connect’s ‘Making tax digital’, ‘Understanding accounts’, ‘Cash flow’ training and a diversification course within 12 months.  She utilises her new skills every day, and although she ‘never wants to retire’, intends to pass on her knowledge to the couple’s children. She has helped set up a new self-catering accommodation business and next on her ‘to do’ list is to develop a farm shop or café!   
 

Jonathan’s longstanding interest in sustainability and safeguarding the environment led him towards a complete career change!  He left his previous career within the oil and gas industries to start a ‘not for profit’ nursery growing trees commercially in Pembrokeshire.  He took risks setting up a new woodland enterprise but did his research, identified his market and thanks to learning new skills from ongoing training through Farming Connect, the gamble is paying off.

Currently investigating funding opportunities, Jonathan plans to work with schools, care farms, neuro-diverse groups and others who he hopes to inspire to take climate change action.

Jonathan completed various mandatory training courses including PA1, PA6, tractor and chainsaw handling and has also undertaken numerous business planning courses. The judges said that his clear commitment to building his knowledge base and promoting climate change makes him a very deserving joint winner of this year’s horticulture award.

Two years ago, Marie achieved her long-term ambition of establishing her own market garden having rented a small area of land from a local farmer. Alfie Dan’s is named after her grandfather, a keen horticulturalist who passed on to her his knowledge and love of growing vegetables.

Maria completed her City & Guilds Level 2 in horticulture at a local college and is now working towards her Royal Horticultural Society Level 2 Plant Growth, Propagation and Development course. She also taps into all available support from Farming Connect’s horticulture programme. Inspired by her early success, Marie has already taken on additional plots of land enabling her to increase production and the scale of her business, which now runs to four acres.  She is also starting organic conversion.   The judges said that Marie’s love of horticulture, and her determination to develop and grow her already successful enterprise makes her a worthy joint winner.  
 

Andrew is a partner at the family-run arable, cattle and pig farm near Newtown. A flourishing diversified horticulture enterprise is also a key focus for Andrew.  The family began with a ‘pick your own’ pumpkin field, grow sunflowers and have a flower field too.

Andrew studied agriculture and agri-mechanics at his local college but since then, has been learning all he can about horticulture.  A keen fan of the Farming Connect horticulture programme, he has benefited hugely from peer-to-peer learning through being part of a ‘Grower Network’ group and has been on numerous study visits.  The judges were impressed by Andrew’s determination to find effective solutions to dealing with changing weather patterns and weed control.  Already looking at new crops to ‘stay ahead’ of the competition and retain the interest of the venture’s loyal and expanding customer base, the judges were impressed by Andrew’s ongoing commitment to learning.

When a local tree surgeon drove past Benjamin cutting grass and hedges for a neighbour, he pulled over and offered him a job as a trainee arborist!  The rest is history. Benjamin is gaining practical experience of the job he loves every day.

Alongside this, thanks to Farming Connect’s subsidised training provision, he has completed his basic chainsaw course, medium tree course, tree climbing, use of saw from rope and harness, emergency first aid at work and forestry, giving him an important skillset and knowledge that he utilises most days.

The judges were hugely impressed with Benjamin’s attitude to learning new skills, including safe working practices. He is already planning his next tranche of courses – all connected with tree-felling - and hopes one day to pass on his skills to others. Ambitious and keen, he’s also doing well in the competitive tree felling circuit!  One to watch and a deserving joint winner! 

Siwan is studying for her City & Guilds Technical Diploma in Agriculture at Coleg Sir Gar, Gelli Aur campus, where she won the accolade of ‘student of the year’ Having grown up on the family’s coastal beef and sheep farm, she has had a long-standing ambition to become a successful farmer, and already dreams of the day she can drive forward diversification plans to produce electricity for the farm and convert barns to holiday lets!   

Siwan hopes to read agriculture at Aberystwyth University next. In the meantime she gains practical experience on the farm every minute she can spare.  Through Farming Connect she has studied foot trimming and pesticides spraying. Next on her list is to learn more about pH testing soil to reduce the farm’s reliance on fertiliser. The judges said Siwan deserves recognition for her hard work, focus and ambition – a worthy joint winner of this award.

The judges agreed that Carwyn’s qualities and attitude to work make him a well-deserving candidate for this runner-up award.  He has maintained an outstanding academic record at Coleg Sir Gar, Gelli Aur campus and was ‘student of the year’ for 20222/23. He actively participates in a range of college activities, implementing much of his new-found knowledge at the home farm.

At college, Carwyn has clearly demonstrated an in-depth understanding of agricultural sciences, which impressed the judges.  Through Farming Connect he has studied hoof trimming, and next on his study list are DIY AI, spraying and ‘All Terrain Vehicle’ handling. Ambitious and keen, the judges applauded Carwyn’s commitment to learning and his willingness to try out innovative ways of working.

Former semi-professional cyclist Owain is in his final year of BSc in Agriculture studies at Coleg Sir Gar, Gelli Aur campus.  A quick and able learner, he is already introducing innovative ways of working and utilising new technologies to increase efficiency at his family’s dairy farm. He combines his academic studies with working as a general farm worker for his uncle and is a relief milker at Gelli Aur.   Top in his class at Gelli Aur, he found time to complete his PA1, PA6 and Telehandler course through Farming Connect.  Next on his skills list is to complete DIY AI and cattle foot trimming.

The judges said that that the discipline, skills and commitment which brought Owain success as a cyclist have clearly transferred to his farming roles and academic studies, making him a very deserving winner of this award.

Ffion is currently studying for her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Environmental Conservation at Bridgend College. Prior to this she obtained her Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care (Distinction), followed by a Level 3 90 Credit Diploma in Countryside Management (Distinction).  The judges felt there may be further ‘distinctions’ yet to come from this student whose special interests including farming, livestock and wildlife conservation. She is keen to reach her academic goals – BSc first and then an MSc if all goes to plan – and her long-term aim is to work in the nature conservation sector.

Ffion’s willingness to support her peers led to her appointment as ‘learning support’ assistant, a role carried out alongside her own studies.  She also volunteers with both Bridgend College and Cardiff Conservation Volunteers most weekends. The judges said Ffion’s thirst for learning and people skills will take her far – a worthy runner-up.

Morgan is a part-time student at Coleg Sir Gar, Gelli Aur campus where having already obtained his foundation degree he is now reading for his BSc in Agriculture. He grew up at his grandparents’ farm in West Wales, where kept his own flock of rare-breed Llanwenog sheep.

Morgan is currently undertaking a paid work placement with a rural consultancy, having previously enjoyed a placement with the Farmers’ Union of Wales which gave him insight into the policy side of farming.  Now focused on combining a career in farming with a consultancy role, he’s planning to study risk planning next as well undertaking practical training on topics including hedge-laying, spraying and weed-wiping systems.  The judges commended Morgan’s focus and appetite for learning, agreeing he is a worthy runner-up for this award. 

Richard was unable to complete his original university degree because of health issues.  During the pandemic lockdown, he enrolled for an environmental science Higher National Diploma course through the Open University.  It was an inspired choice, as Richard is interested in the management of ancient and semi-natural woodlands, fresh water and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping.

Richard already holds a dormouse licence, a great crested newt licence and has studied emergency first aid in forestry.  Next on his ‘to do’ list is to attend courses on brush cutting and chainsaw handing through Farming Connect.

 An ardent volunteer with conservation groups, Richard’s long-term aim is to be a park ranger. He is keen to engage with the public, to help them learn about the outdoors and countryside around them. The judges were impressed by Richard’s enthusiasm and determination to obtain the skills and experience needed in pursuit of his ‘dream’ job.