A young farmer from North Wales is celebrating today after winning a prestigious award recognising his commitment to learning and business development skills.
Jim Ellis from Pwllheli is this year’s winner of the Young Learner of the year in the Land-based Learner of the Year Farming Connect category.
Having initially studied photography and media he has returned home to utilise his skills and support the family’s farming business. Since returning home to the farm Jim has helped develop the business including acquiring more land, increasing the number of beef animals finished on the unit to 350 and made a decision to finish altogether with sheep.
Jim has also researched opportunities for the business to diversify into solar energy and hopes to convert an old building into holiday accommodation.
Jim has continued to develop his knowledge and skills and has undertaken the ‘marketing your business’ course through Farming Connect. He also hopes to complete the ‘Business Planning & Development’ course.
It’s been a busy and exciting time for Jim who’s enjoying putting his knowledge and skills to good use in developing the business. His enthusiasm and ability to realise the potential opportunities afforded to him are key to succeeding in business.
Jim said, “I would advise anyone who enjoys seeing results from their own hard work and an interest in the land to push forward into a rewarding, prosperous ever growing industry”.
Jim was nominated by Coleg Glynllifon and Julie Thomas of Simply the Best Training
Runner up in the category is Rhian Pierce from Denbigh. Rhian initially studied and worked as an ecologist working with NRW as a conservation officer, RSPB as a farmland warden followed by a period working in New Zealand on a variety of farms. Rhian has worked on the family farm and now works for RSPB as a farm advisor but hopes to return home to run the farming business in the future.
Rhian has completed the ‘Understanding your accounts’ and ‘Financial recording and VAT’ courses through Farming Connect and has applied for funding to undertake the Rough Terrain Telescopic Lift Truck course as soon as possible.
Rhian was nominated by Julie Thomas, Simply the Best Training
Winning the Lifelong Learner in the Landbased Learner of the Year Farming Connect category is Emma Robinson from Grosmont, Abergavenny.
Emma together with her family relocated the dairy, sheep and arable farming business to Wales in 2014. In response to the dairy crisis the business has taken the steps to add value by developing a direct sales operation selling raw milk at the farm gate, via Farmers Markets and innovatively offering on-line ordering service with next day delivery of cool fresh raw milk.
To strengthen the skills of the business Emma has undertaken the ‘Marketing your business’ course through Farming Connect.
Emma is great believer in Continuous Professional Development and is committed to continue learning and developing her skills and that of others and has plan to further diversify the business to offer work experience and training for agricultural students.
Emma was nominated by Julie Thomas of Simply the Best Training
Runner up is Debbie Churchill from Dinas, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Debbie now runs the family farm and hopes very much to develop the business to offer a practical learning environment for the general public. In particular, for disadvantaged and disabled children helping them learn about farming and the environment.
Debbie said, “whilst farming is hard work it is very fulfilling and rewarding to see all results of all your hard work.”
Debbie has undertaken the ‘Financial Recording and VAT’ course through Farming Connect and hopes to complete the Tractor Driving course shortly.
Debbie was nominated by Julie Thomas of Simply the Best Training
The Farming Connect Learner of the Year Award is open to all registered Farming Connect clients who have undertaken training through the Skills Development Programme since 1st January 2016. The category is split into two categories:
1 – Young Learner of the Year for those 40 and under on 1st January 2016
2 – Lifelong Learner of the Year for those over 40 on 1st January 2016
The Farming Connect Learner of the Year Award is open to all registered Farming Connect clients who have undertaken training through the Skills Development Programme and received funding for the course. Candidates are judged on their ability to deal with challenges, their use of initiative, as well as their level of skill and attitude to learning.
The Land-based Learner of the Year Awards, presented on 28 November during this year’s Winter Fair, recognised and celebrated the success of learners in Wales’ land-based and environmental industries. The awards were presented by Lesley Griffiths AM, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs.
The Farming Connect category is open to all learners who have undertaken training through the Farming Connect Programme since 1st January 2016.
This year’s awards were sponsored by several key industry bodies including NFU Cymru, FUW, NRW and Farming Connect.
