The 2017 programme was launched in Cardiff Bay by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths who said that the learning and development provided by the Agri Academy will pay massive dividends when it comes to running successful businesses and providing leadership at a senior, strategic level for the industry. The application window is now open and the closing date is 31 March.
For one Mid-Wales farming family, the Agri Academy, which provides three intensive but short study periods, has had rewarding results. Keri Davies farms in partnership with his wife Julie at Glwydcaenewydd, near Brecon. The couple have a 330 acre organic beef and sheep holding selling most of their produce to Waitrose through the Livestock Marketing Group and they also run a flourishing five star holiday letting business.
Keri was a Rural Leadership Program
me (RLP) candidate in 2012, when the programme was first launched. By today, daughter Naomi and son Reuben are part of the 125 alumni who have now benefited. All three are keen advocates of the Agri Academy, saying that that the unique programme of mentoring, training and study visits combined with networking opportunities will have a long-term impact on their future, at both personal and professional levels.
Keri is unequivocal about his experience.
“The Agri Academy gave me confidence, training and skills that I never dreamt of. I didn’t expect to be invited to represent my industry at the highest levels. As a result of the programme, I have been invited to advise Ministers and government officials in both Cardiff and London and found it very rewarding to know that my opinions are valued, from the perspective of a typical family farmer.
“The way the Agri Academy works to nurture teamwork has had lifelong benefits for our family and I’m absolutely delighted that two of my children have taken part.
“Since the Agri Academy, doors have opened to me and other members of our RLP group at every level, and it speaks volumes that we all continue to get together as a group two or three times a year. In fact, once a year our group stays at our farm holiday let which accommodates up to 60 people.
“Every aspect of our business lives is shared, nothing is held back and we help each other at every opportunity – we all want to give something back to each other and to the industry, especially the younger generation.”
“The Agri Academy is a completely empowering experience, and one that I would strongly urge anyone working in our industry to apply for, including my own children!”
Keri’s daughter Naomi a trainee chartered surveyor in Cowbridge, who recently graduated from Reading University, was selected as a Junior Programme candidate in 2014.
“The Junior Programme had a hugely positive impact on my group, and I personally found that my CV was considerably strengthened, because virtually every potential employer wanted to know more about it.
“I ended my Academy year with new skills, new friends and a new sense of optimism and purpose about how I could progress as an individual working within a rural industry in Wales.”
Keri’s son Reuben, who is currently studying agricultural engineering at Hartpury College in Gloucester, was just 16 when he was selected for the Agri Academy Junior Programme last year.
"The Agri Academy set me off on a journey of discovery, learning and friendship and there is no doubt that it has given me a fantastic foundation for a future career in farming in Wales.
"I couldn't believe how valuable the friendships and contacts have turned out to be. It led to me being offered work placements, so I've now got a great CV and I'm optimistic that it will lead to job offers when I'm ready.
"There is so much that I've been inspired to do thanks to my mentors and fellow candidates. I'm soon setting off for work experience in Ireland, arranged through the Academy, and also planning to find temporary employment in New Zealand and Cambridge. The Agri-Academy certainly inspired me to achieve more, travel further and discover new ways of working.”
To find out more, visit www.gov.wales/farmingconnect