At the time of writing, we are just seven weeks away from the first Agri Academy session, and a lot has happened since I last wrote an update on the programme!
Following the interviews we selected twelve members and they were officially welcomed into the Agri Academy in a ceremony at the Royal Welsh Show at the end of July. This was their first time meeting face to face and the first time that we as the programme team met some of the members, as we did hold some online interviews. The Junior Academy were also present so it was a great opportunity for everyone to meet up.
After the presentations the senior Agri Academy moved to the CLA tent (negotiating to remove Nigel Farage from our room in the process!) where everyone was tasked with writing a letter to their future selves detailing what they hope to achieve in the next year. I will post these letters Royal Welsh week 2026, and after writing, each member pulled out one goal to share with the group. We discussed some actions everyone could take to achieve that goal, and through the programme will keep each other accountable and provide encouragement to get there.
Since interviewing I have been busy putting together itineraries for the three sessions. Session 1 is now finalised with the venue and all speakers and visits booked while Session 3 is filling up nicely and I am almost there with confirming our schedule for the trip to Japan (Session 2).
I don’t want to give too much away but here’s an insight into what we have in store!
Session 1 (West Wales): People management and communication skills with Real Success, visits to two joint ventures; one sheep and one dairy, a tour of a processing company, a visit to a previous Agri Academy member’s farm, and meeting the 2025 Challenge Farm host.
Session 2 (Japan): A dairy farm, a gelato maker, tea and rice plantations, and a visit to one of Japan’s biggest vegetable producers. Plus, some cultural visits to set the context!
Session 3 (Midlands): In this session, the members will present their Challenge Farm plans, but we also have time for a session on financials, the mindset of success, and visits to three farms covering livestock and arable, conventional and organic, selling off-farm and on-farm processing and direct marketing.
I’m hoping that Session 2 will be set in stone in the next few weeks; organising visits in Japan has been harder than I anticipated and I am very grateful for some Japanese contacts who have gone above and beyond to help us!