John and Meinir Thomas, together with their eldest son Gethin (21) farm at their 500 acre upland family holding, Cefnllanio, near Tregaron. They run a herd of 65 suckler cows, mainly Hereford cross, together with around 1,000 Welsh Mountain and Welsh Mule sheep.
The second generation to farm at Cefnllanio, both John and Meinir, who have three other younger children, believe that developing new skills within the family unit is helping them safeguard the future of the farm for the next generation, by improving day to day systems which in turn will help them build up resilience and sustainability.
For John, Meinir and Gethin, completing a Farming Connect Personal Development Plan (PDP) – a new online tool which facilitates continuing personal development – has been the catalyst to them each setting themselves personal goals and embarking on new training courses which they feel will help them with day to day working practices.
Thanks to a recommendation from a neighbouring farming family who recently completed PDPs before successfully applying for training through Farming Connect, Meinir decided to approach Eleri Jewell, Farming Connect’s local development officer for North Ceredigion.
Eleri was able to offer guidance on the PDP process and signpost the family towards both transformational business and technical training as well as Farming Connect’s new fully-funded online e.learning modules, explaining the benefits that they could each expect.
“Completing the PDP isn’t a complicated or lengthy process but it does mean that you have to take stock of the current skills available within the business. Once you’ve identified your strengths, it’s quite straightforward to spot any gaps and to see which skills you need to acquire or develop further in order for the business to become more efficient,” said Eleri.
John recently successfully applied for PA1 and PA2 pesticides training which means he complies with current regulations and no longer has to buy this service in.
Meinir believes she will benefit from having a better understanding of the business management and accounting systems that go hand in hand with running a successful business and hopes to undertake a one day course shortly.
Gethin, an experienced contract shearer much in demand locally, has utilised numerous Farming Connect subsidised training courses in the past, gaining valuable skills that he uses every day such as machinery handling and at this time of year, shearing. With an eye to the future, he successfully applied for new woodland training courses.
“We are keen to maintain all our own hedges and woodland areas and there is potential for a new stream of income from selling wood from the farm, so I applied for training that will enable me to cut, fell and process trees up to 380mm and a course of chainsaw maintenance,” said Gethin.
Gethin also plans to apply for a cattle foot trimming course which he hopes will help him control lameness within the herd in a safe and timely manner.
“We found Eleri’s advice and guidance invaluable. She encouraged all three of us to complete our PDPs and she has also signposted us to numerous other Farming Connect services and knowledge transfer activities in our area.
“We have always tapped into support from Farming Connect and benefited from attending knowledge transfer events but there are a number of new projects available through the current programme which we wouldn’t have known about.
“If we can put in the time to learn from experts, we will be able to put our new knowledge or skills into practice on the farm,” said Meinir.
Farming Connect provides support for eligible individuals who want guidance on completing their PDP. For further information contact your local Farming Connect development officer or visit the PDP page on our website.