10 July 2018
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 was again led by Professor Wynne Jones OBE FRAgS who said they were stunned with the outstanding calibre of this year’s candidates representing numerous sectors of farming and rural life in Wales.
“For the first time, a record 55% of applications were from women, which augurs well for the future of our industry with so many women in agriculture now thriving in increasingly prominent and visible profiles,” said Professor Wynne.
In another first for the Agri Academy, his co-judges this year were Agri Academy alumni. The selection panel included Llyr Jones, a director of Welsh rapeseed oil company Blodyn Aur and Nuffield Scholar and dairy engineer Tom Allison who both now operate their respective businesses at an international level, as well as farmers’ daughter and Chairman of the Wales YFC International Sub-Committee Angela Evans from Ceredigion.
This year’s intake of candidates incudes farmers; a rural GP; an economist, lawyers; numerous would-be land agents and students whose collective hobbies range from football to music and from pigs to poultry. Together they will bring the number of alumni up to 200 since the programme was launched in 2012.
For many alumni, the intensive programme of mentoring, training and study visits has given them the confidence and new networks which have helped them achieve their personal ambitions and create new business opportunities.
“Many who had already achieved their career goals before coming into the Academy, acknowledge that the experience provides a unique opportunity to progress even further,” said Professor Wynne.
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 2018’, Professor Wynne said; “The Agri Academy is widely acknowledged by many employers as providing a valuable addition to a CV, each year we see more alumni taking up positions of importance and influence, personally contributing so much towards making Welsh agriculture sustainable, profitable and resilient, which is so important as we approach the uncertainties of Brexit.
“You 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 personalities.
Each of the three programmes will involve a study tour, with Rural Leadership candidates visiting both the European and UK Parliaments in Brussels and London; Business & Innovation candidates will visit some of Iceland’s most innovative agri-businesses; while the Junior Programme candidates will plan their own study visit, due to take place during their autumn half term.
Regional quotes
Dr. Eilir Hughes, Pwllheli - RURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
Welsh speaker Dr Eilir Hughes grew up on a dairy farm near Pwllheli before completing his higher education in Bangor, Swansea and Cardiff Universities where he studied psychology and medicine.
He returned to his birthplace in 2017 as a GP and now works across two sites to provide a community health service for 4,500 patients within a very rural area.
Equally passionate about caring for the medical needs of his patients and safeguarding the future of the family farm, Dr Hughes hopes that by being part of the Agri Academy Rural Leadership Programme, he’ll be introduced to a wider network of agricultural professionals and advisers.
“I believe I will gain confidence in my ability to lead and contribute to life in this part of Wales if I take advantage of opportunities such as those offered by the Agri Academy.”
Robert Evans, Aberaeron - BUSINESS & INNOVATION PROGRAMME
After spending time managing his family’s 500 acre rented farm and a number of overseas working visits, in 2013 Robert and his wife decided to purchase their own farm at Berthlwyd.
He manages a 90 head calf rearing unit and 30 head of Hereford cross Friesian replacements that are sold at market. Robert enjoys undertaking work on behalf of Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd as a farm assessor to support members to achieve standards as part of the FAWL accreditation.
In addition to generating a good income for his wife and young son, Robert is keen to introduce innovation and new ideas to the current business.
“So often, farmers are price takers rather than price setters, and that is a real challenge for my business and the industry as a whole.
“I’m hoping to learn how I can contribute to this agenda through the Agri Academy Business & Innovation programme, and I am especially looking forward to learning more during the study tour to Iceland.
Tabitha Anthony, Bridgend - JUNIOR PROGRAMME
‘A’ level student Tabitha Anthony is a fourth-generation farmer’s daughter brought up on the family hill farm near Bridgend. Driven by a keen interest in both politics and agriculture, she’s intent on gaining as much work experience as she can alongside her academic studies and she’s optimistic that being part of the Agri Academy Junior Programme will give her a prestigious notch on that all-important CV as well as new networks to help her achieve her personal goals.
“I’m very much looking forward to being part of the Agri Academy and believe it will help me further my experience in the industry and business world which will prove invaluable as I strive towards my end goal of a career in politics.”