23 May 2019
Women working in agriculture throughout Wales are being invited to take a road trip for a unique ‘journey of discovery’ when they will be given an insider’s view of some of Wales’ most successful rural businesses, hearing at first hand from the entrepreneurs and farming families who each have their own, inspirational stories to tell.
On Thursday, June 20, Farming Connect’s highly successful ‘Women in Agriculture’ concept, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary, will be on the move. Six buses starting out from different locations across Wales, will pick up women representing different areas of agriculture and rural life for an action-packed, experiential study tour, stopping off at various locations throughout Wales, before returning to their final destination in Aberystwyth. Scheduled to arrive in the afternoon, in time for tea at the town’s seafront Marine Hotel, they will then hear from some of New Zealand’s award-winning top shearers – all females!
Each tour bus will have its own tailor-made timetable, stopping off at a series of destinations for a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of some of Wales’ most inspirational rural businesses and diversified farms along the way.
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a Busnes, says that this year’s ‘Women in Agriculture’ roadshow event will provide an unrivalled opportunity for delegates to meet some of Wales’ most successful rural entrepreneurs and business people who have all found their own, sometimes unusual, routes to turn their dreams and hopes for more profitable ways of farming or diversified enterprises into reality.
“Delegates will hear at first hand from farmers and business owners who have all had to dig deep to discover their entrepreneurial flair and find that essential inner confidence.
“Every tour is going to give them a unique insight into how these business people discovered their true potential.”
Award-winning, innovative livestock farms; a gin distillery and vineyard; lavender farm; ice-cream makers; paté producers; spring water processors, holiday accommodation including a zen-like retreat and yurts – this is just a snapshot of some of the businesses which will be visited, each demonstrating the wealth of diversified success stories in Wales. Click here to see exactly what’s planned for each itinerary before you decide which tour bus you want to take.
Each coach load of delegates will enjoy refreshments ‘en route’, a picnic-style provision of Welsh food and drink, before disembarking at their seafront destination for afternoon tea.
Mrs Williams said that a committed audience of women have been loyal attendees at Farming Connect’s hugely successful annual ‘women in farming’ conferences since the first one was held, also in Aberystwyth, ten years ago.
“Being inspired and encouraged by dynamic, ambitious yet seemingly ‘ordinary’ women who are often juggling family and work commitments yet succeeding in what is still a male-dominated industry, has proved enormously motivating.
“For many women, it has proved the catalyst, the external influence which has helped them ‘aim high’ and make their goals for themselves and their businesses a reality,” said Mrs Williams.
The day will provide all the ladies with an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, catch up with old friends and meet new, and hear from a line-up of inspirational female speakers from New Zealand – part of the ‘she’s shearing’ brigade – who have blown away stereotypes and sexism in the traditionally male world of sheep shearing.
For shearing legends Jills Angus Burney and Emily Welch, personal bests have been world shearing records! Encouraged to quit shearing in her 50s by her orthopaedic consultant, Jills found a second career as a High Court barrister and solicitor, but she still can’t keep away from ‘Golden Shears’, the world’s premier shearing and wool handling championship.
Emily Welch is the current world record holder for shearing 648 lambs in nine hours (overtaking Jills’ 2007 record). It’s going to make interesting listening hearing how this mother of three small children also finds time to compete and run her own shearing contracting company. The trio will be joined by central Otago shearer and wool handler Pagan Karauria. Pagan returned to ‘Golden Shears’ last year following a horrific car accident that tragically killed two of her friends and left her with severe injuries. Now shearing again and a mentor to other hopeful young female shearers, her message will be one of overcoming adversity through sheer determination!
Detailed timetables/itineraries for each of the six ‘Women in Agriculture’ study tours, which will all take place on Thursday, June 20, can be found here. Places will be limited and must be booked in advance as soon as possible by either clicking here or by contacting the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813 or farmingconnect@menterabusnes.co.uk Rydym yn croesawu galwadau yn Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
Farming Connect, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Government.