Jessi Stephens

• Jessi has built a successful and diverse rare breed livestock enterprise from the ground up, giving her first-hand experience of the opportunities and challenges facing both new entrants and established farming businesses. As a partner in her family's mixed livestock enterprise in Portskewett, she is involved in beef, pigs, poultry, sheep and a micro dairy, combining practical farming with business management, marketing and enterprise development. 

• Coming into agriculture from a non-farming background, Jessi understands how valuable trusted advice, strong networks and peer support can be when developing a business. Alongside her practical farming experience, she has successfully developed new marketing opportunities, including creating a collaborative supply chain for Carmarthenshire ham that benefits both local producers and Talgarth butchery. She has also brought together farmers, businesses and public sector organisations to explore opportunities for increasing the use of locally produced food. 

• An experienced facilitator and presenter, Jessi is skilled at bringing people together to share ideas, challenge thinking and identify practical solutions. Her leadership experience extends beyond agriculture, having previously held senior roles within the music profession, where she regularly led workshops, rehearsals and large groups. These experiences have shaped an inclusive facilitation style that encourages participation while maintaining a clear focus on achieving positive outcomes. 

• Jessi believes Agrisgôp provides the ideal environment for farmers and growers to learn from one another, develop fresh ideas and build the confidence to take their businesses forward. 

"As a new entrant to farming myself, I know how important it is to have people around you who are willing to share their experiences and challenge your thinking in a supportive way. Agrisgôp creates exactly that environment." 

"My role isn't to provide all the answers, but to help the group ask the right questions, explore new opportunities and turn good ideas into practical actions." 

Relevant experience, skills, qualifications    

• Future Farmers Programme – Harper Adams University  

• 2023     DEFRA New Entrant Scheme – Harper Adams University  

• 2011 – 2012     MMus (Conducting) – University of Cambridge 2011 – 2012  

• 2007 – 2011 BA (Hons) Music (2:1)      University of Leeds  

• AAT Bookkeeping Level 2  

• NVQ Level 2 Customer Service