Two young female farmers, both alumni of the Agri Academy, Farming Connect’s flagship personal development programme, have recently been appointed as board members of Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC - Meat Promotion Wales), the Aberystwyth-based body responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Welsh red meat to a global market.
Rachael Madeley Davies, from Fedw Arian Uchaf in Bala and Helen Howells from Tycam in Llanwenog, Ceredigion are both keen advocates of Farming Connect’s flagship personal development programme, and say the experience gave them valuable skills they’ll now put into practice for the benefit of red meat producers throughout Wales.
Both agree that the Agri-Academy’s intensive programme of training, mentoring and networking gave them the confidence to apply for their new high profile and influential positions as Hybu Cig Cy mru board members and they are looking forward to communicating and engaging directly and effectively with red meat levy payers at this challenging but also opportunistic time for the industry, post Brexit.
Rachael, a qualified barrister who works for an agricultural
consultancy is also part of the team of entrepreneurial young farmers’ wives, Gwas Fferm, who launched their own agri-diary two years ago, thanks to support from Farming Connect’s Agrisgôp programme. Rachael was selected for the Agri Academy’s Rural Leadership programme in 2014.
“I feel it’s really important that the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM has appointed a board with a depth of experience from different sectors. This reflects the diverse talent within agriculture and the broader food industry in Wales.
“The Agri Academy Rural Leadership programme has equipped me with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue involvement in our industry at this level,” said Rachael.
Chartered environmentalist and sustainable development practitioner Helen Howells, runs Hwylus Cyf, a strategic rural consultancy she set up to inspire innovation within public, private and third sector organisations in Wales.
A first class honours graduate in sustainable rural development from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where she won the Stapleton Society Award for best student, Helen says that her experience with the 2016 Agri Academy Rural Leadership programme gave her the opportunity to consider her long-term career goals which led her to set up Hwylus Cyf.
“The Agri Academy encourages, mentors and nurtures people from farming backgrounds to achieve their potential as rural leaders and entrepreneurs. I’m grateful for my Agri Academy experience, and I found taking time out to plan my career longer-term very beneficial. The added bonus of networking, both within our group and with the many people we met through the programme, was also invaluable.”
The Hybu Cig Cymru board also includes a third member of the Farming Connect family. Catherine
Smith, Farming Connect’s development officer for Monmouthshire and Glamorgan, farms a 220-acre mixed farm in Raglan with her husband. Catherine graduated from Birmingham University with a first class honours degree in food and consumer management in 2001, winning the student of the year award.
Since 2003, she has worked as a self-employed agri-food consultant and trainer, mainly in the red meat and poultry sectors in England and Wales. In 2014 she also joined the team at Farming Connect on a part-time basis working locally, firstly as a facilitator and now as a development officer.
"I am delighted to have been appointed to the board and very much look forward to working with the other members to ensure that Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales - is a strong, accountable and leading organisation which will shape a positive future strategic direction for the red meat sector in Wales," said Catherine.