19 July 2019
Farming Connect has announced the names of this year’s intake of 36 successful applicants selected to take part in its flagship personal development programme, the Agri Academy.
After a rigorous selection process, the panel of judges led by Prof. Wynne Jones said that there had been again been an impressive number of applications, representing a wide cross-section of farming sectors and rural life in Wales.
“Just under 50% of the candidates are female, which augurs well for the future, with so many women working in agriculture helping drive forward the industry,” said Einir Davies, Development & Mentoring Manager for Menter a Busnes who deliver Farming Connect and established the Agri Academy in 2012.
This year’s selection panel included Llyr Jones, the newly appointed Agri Academy Leader for the Business & Innovation programme. Llyr farms at Derwydd a Beef, Sheep and Poultry farm near Corwen, He is also part owner of Blodyn Aur which sells 6,000 bottles of rapeseed oil a month to Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. He took part in the Agri Academy Business & Innovation programme in 2013 and is looking forward to facilitating this year’s cohort.
The 2019 intake of candidates includes farmers; veterinary surgeons; a college lecturer; geneticists; communications and procurement specialists; and students whose collective hobbies range from football to sheepdog trials and from pigs to poultry. Together they will bring the number of participants up to 236 since the programme was launched 7 years ago.
For many alumni, the intensive programme of mentoring, training and study visits has given them the confidence and new networks to help them achieve their personal ambitions and create new business opportunities.
“Many more, who had already achieved their career goals before coming into the Academy, acknowledge that the experience provides a unique opportunity to progress even further and meet their own personal ambitions,” said Aled Rhys Jones, Leader of the Junior Agri Academy who is also part of the Agri Academy Alumni.
The Agri Academy comprises three distinct programmes. This year’s intake includes 12 candidates on the Business & Innovation programme; 12 on the Rural Leadership programme, which is a joint collaboration with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and 12 on the Junior programme, which is a joint collaboration with Wales YFC.
Congratulating the ‘Class of 2019’, Aled said,
“The Agri Academy is widely acknowledged by many employers and not only carries weight on a cv, but has a proven record of boosting confidence and of encouraging participants to set their sights high in life.
“Each year we see Agri Academy alumni taking up positions where they can contribute so much towards making Welsh agriculture sustainable, profitable and resilient.
“They are all excellent ambassadors for the Agri Academy and demonstrate the value of continual professional development.”
The Farming Connect Agri Academy, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, provides an intensive programme of mentoring, support and training provided by some of the industry’s most successful figureheads and business personalities.
Each of the three programmes will involve a study tour, with Rural Leadership candidates this year visiting the World Trade Organisation headquarters in Geneva; Business & Innovation candidates will visit innovative agri-businesses in the Netherlands; while the Junior Programme will be comparing different farming systems in Iceland during their autumn half term.
In brief – find out what three of this year’s candidates have to say:
Rhys Beynon-Thomas, Rural Leadership Programme
Farm vet and part-time farmer Rhys Beynon-Thomas from Pontarddulais set his sights on a career working with farm livestock at a very early age. Rhys, who works for a Carmarthenshire veterinary practice, is optimistic that the current uncertain political climate will also lead to new opportunities.
“I think we may see increased opportunities for producing good quality food and because we have such high standards of farming and animal health and welfare in Wales.
“I would like to put something back into the industry and hope that being part of the Agri Academy will give me the confidence to become a spokesperson for the issues I believe will ensure that Welsh farming continues to make its mark in a competitive marketplace.”
Heledd Mair Jones, Business & Innovation Programme
Heledd Mair Jones and her partner are tenant farmers near Dolgellau. A graduate of Aberystwyth University where she read animal science, Heledd combines studying for her MSc in the same subject alongside her current role working for one of Wales’ leading agricultural suppliers.
“I think the Agri Academy will open up a new world of ideas and I’m looking forward to receiving much needed advice and support from not just the experts and business people I’ll meet, but from like-minded ambitious people in a similar situation to us, wanting to start their own sustainable and profitable farm business.”
Ifan Prys Thomas, Junior Programme
Young farmer Ifan Thomas, an agriculture student at Coleg Llysfasi, lives at home at his family’s beef and sheep farm in Pontrug, Caernarfon.
“I hope that my experience as part of the Agri Academy Junior programme will introduce me to other like-minded young farmers, wanting to earn a good livelihood from the agriculture industry, despite the difficulties facing many.
To hear from all this year’s Agri Academy candidates, click here.
Farming Connect, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Government.