Grug Evans

South Montgomeryshire

Grug Evans is Farming Connect’s Development Officer for South Montgomeryshire area.

Grug is from a rural Dyffryn Banw, near Llanfair Caereinion, and lives at home with her parents and brother. Her father has a contracting business and for some years now he has diversified into the wood chip and tree felling industry, and recently, the family has started a new business, ‘Cutiau Cwm Canada’ by offering holidays in a ‘Sheperds Hut’ on the farm’s fields.

Although Grug studied a course in Business and Marketing at Bangor University, working in the agricultural industry has been of interest to her.  Since graduating in 2023 she got a job with Farming Connect’s Marketing Department before she changed role to Development Officer for South Montgomeryshire at the beginning of 2024.

Grug is an enthusiastic member of Dyffryn Banw YFC and encourages members of the young farmers to use all the facilities available to them in the agriculture industry. She is the secretary of the Agricultural Committee and Chair of Montgomery YFC International Committee. She enjoys taking part in community activities such as the Urdd, Singing and being involved with Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn. 

Through utilising Farming Connect facilities through the business she has seen how much benefit the programme offers to farmers through a wide range of services. Through the support of the mentoring programme, they obtained advice from 2 different mentors before establishing ‘Cutiau Cwm Canada' during Spring 2023 as well as attending the Innovation and Diversification event in Llanelwedd – a great event to see new ideas that arise in the sector and the opportunity to listen to industry speakers – there’s something for everyone through Farming Connect.

Grug also facilitates the area’s beef, milk and sheep sector discussion groups. The discussion groups are an opportunity for farmers to compare data and offer advice on things that can be improved on the farm. It is a 'safe place' for farmers to come together and share any problems that arise.

Grug also attends Welshpool Market every Monday morning to meet with the area’s farmers and answer any questions that they may have – it’s a great change to be out of the office and meet people face to face.