Latest news with #AgriAcademy
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Glynllifon students join Farming Connect Junior Academy
Elin Wyn Williams, Garmon Powys Griffiths, Gwenllian Lloyd Davies and Lora Jen Pritchard will join the Class of 2025 after being selected from applicants across Wales. The academy offers a structured programme of training, mentoring and practical experiences for 16 to 21-year-olds considering a career in agriculture. Lora Jen Pritchard, who studies Level 3 Agriculture and runs her own Dutch Spotted sheep enterprise, said: "I hope the Agri Academy experience will give me a broader understanding of how farms across Wales and Norway operate, and develop my confidence, and I look forward to building lasting connections with like-minded young farmers and inspiring business people." Glynllifon student Garmon Powys Griffiths (Image: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai) Garmon Powys Griffiths from Machynlleth, is studying Level 3 Agriculture with Mechanisation. He said: "I see the Junior Agri Academy as an amazing opportunity to grow my confidence, push my limits and build on my strengths. "Visiting farms in Norway, a country renowned for its high standard of living and successful farming practices, is an experience I wouldn't miss for the world." Gwenllian Lloyd Davies, who grew up on a dairy farm in Pwllheli, is eager to gain insight from industry leaders. Glynllifon student Lora Jen Pritchard with a flock of sheep (Image: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai) She said: "Being selected for the Agri Academy will enable me to learn from progressive, knowledgeable industry professionals, build lasting connections and friendships and see the latest innovations in practice." Elin Wyn Williams from Bangor, who has three years of practical experience and works on both dairy and sheep farms, believes the experience will be pivotal for her future. She said: "I'm confident that my Agri Academy experience will open many doors and help shape my future career pathway." READ MORE: Anglesey cider company ceases trading in 'very sad' loss for island The four students met their academy peers at the Royal Welsh Show on July 22. They will later take part in a study trip to Norway. As part of the programme, they will take part in residential stays and a work placement, before a final ceremony at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in November. The Glynllifon campus, which covers 300 hectares of farmland and forestry, is well known for its countryside management and agricultural courses.
Business News Wales
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Farming Connect Welcomes the New Agri Academy Class of 2025
The individuals selected for the 2025 Agri Academy have been revealed. The 24 successful candidates will have their first meeting at a reception at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday 22 July. The Agri Academy has now over 300 alumni since it was first launched in 2012. It provides a programme of training, mentoring, support, and guidance through three intense residential sessions and an overseas study visit, with two specific elements: Agri Academy – for individuals over 21 and aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of farming entrepreneurs and trailblazers in Wales. Junior Academy – aimed at supporting young people aged between 16 and 21 years who hope to carve out a career or set up a business in the food or farming industries. Later this year, the Agri Academy's chosen candidates will travel to Japan for their overseas study and the Junior Academy candidates will visit Norway. Among this year's successful candidates is Siwan Roberts who grew up on her family's 350-acre beef and sheep farm in Mid Wales. Siwan helps manage the farm's growing tourism venture that currently includes three glamping pods with further plans to convert three barns into holiday lets. In recent years, the family introduced Wagyu cattle, initially for their own consumption but the venture is now set to expand, supplying home-reared beef to visitors too. She said: 'Visiting other farm businesses in the UK and especially meeting Wagyu beef producers in Japan, will introduce me to new networks, inspire me and encourage me to develop our own Wagyu enterprise.' Another candidate selected this year is Ioan Humphreys. He is known as 'That Welsh Farmer' on Instagram and has over 50,000 followers. Aged 32, Ioan shares a lot of what he gets up to at his thriving mixed enterprise in Carno, Powys managing 800 ewes, 25 beef cattle, and more recently, poultry. Ioan is currently investing in a 150kW solar panel installation to reduce costs and enhance sustainability. He is also preparing a planning application for a farm shop and café on-site to further diversify the business. He thinks that the Agri Academy will enable him to introduce new ideas and a fresh perspective on the way they run the business. Selected for the Junior Academy, Gwenllian Davies from Pen Llŷn is currently studying her first year Level 3 Agriculture at Coleg Glynllifon. Raised on her family's dairy farm, where around 340 autumn-calving cows are milked daily, and through work placements on other dairy farms, she has developed strong practical skills and a deep-rooted understanding of animal care and farm operations. Gwenllian is eager to develop new skills and explore future career opportunities. Also selected for the Junior Academy is Dafydd Davies who lives on an upland beef and sheep farm near Llanwrtyd Wells. He is currently studying Land-based Engineering Level 3 at Coleg Sir Gar Gelli Aur campus, his long-term aim is to combine farming with design and engineering activities. 'I'm interested in agricultural innovation and would love the chance to travel overseas so visiting Norway, renowned for its efficient farming systems, will be a highlight of the Agri Academy for me,' he said. 'This is the chance of a lifetime and I can't wait to meet new friends, swap ideas and to learn from the experts I meet.'
Powys County Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Radnor Valley farm grows from meat boxes to Powys farm shop
A third-generation Powys farmer is encouraging others to sign up to a business programme. Radnor Valley farmer, John Goodwin, credits the Farming Connect Agri Academy Business & Innovation programme for giving him the guidance and supportive networks to achieve ambitious new goals for himself and the family farm business. Persuaded to apply in 2017 during a chance meeting with his local development officer, Natalie Chappelle, the experience proved the catalyst to what John says has been a transformational journey. 'Meeting so many experienced, knowledgeable farmers, business people, sector specialists and mentors inspired me to change my perspective on not only my personal aspirations, but they gave me confidence to 'set the bar higher' for the farm too.' RECOMMENDED READS: John and his wife Jess's approach to farming 'greener' and utilising new technologies to increase profitability, continues to reach impressive new levels. The couple's achievements were recognised earlier this year when they won Lantra Cymru's prestigious 'Innovator of the Year' award. John and Jess, who is also from a Welsh farming background, have built up an efficient, sustainable beef, sheep, pigs and arable farm business, at their 500-acre holding located between Presteigne and Knighton, based on their regenerative farming ethos. Early adopters of biomass and solar energy, one of their most significant achievements has been developing their small-scale meat box business, which had been run largely from the farm kitchen, into a successful farm shop. 'The pandemic changed customer buying patterns and demand for our meat suddenly trebled virtually overnight,' says John. 'In order to capitalise on that opportunity but recognising we didn't have the resources to staff a shop, we sought strategic business advice from Farming Connect through the Advisory Service and attended numerous business-relevant events.' Armed with optimistic financial forecasts and having simplified their livestock management system to free up time, the couple invested in a purpose-built shop at the end of their drive, installing cashless chilled vending machines. They also repurposed an outbuilding for packing and processing - Hindwell Farm Shop was in business. 'It was a significant financial commitment, but the shop is now a key source of income, which longer-term, will help provide a livelihood for our agri-student son George when he completes his studies.' With three fresh and frozen vending machines installed, the popular 'self-service' shop now stocks not only the Goodwin's own farm-produced meat, but a wide range of local produce too. 'Being part of the Agri Academy proved a personal turning point for me,' says John. 'The Agri Academy changed my outlook on not just my own personal ambitions but for developing the farm in a sustainable way in readiness for George to eventually take over the reins – it's been a win-win for the whole family.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Lucky escape for cows as livestock trailer overturns on M4
SETTING up and growing a successful new business is something many people will only ever dream about. Young farmer Cian Iolen Rhys says that Farming Connect's Agri Academy Junior Programme gave him the confidence and life-skills to do exactly that – at 17 years old! Together with his friend Owain, Cian has set up a successful sheep-shearing contracting business which now services 17 local farms. 'I wouldn't be where I am today were it not for the confidence, skills, new friends and supportive networks I made through the Agri Academy and I'm so grateful for that opportunity.' Cian farms alongside his dad and younger brother at a 150-acre Council-owned beef and sheep farm near Bethesda. The second-year Coleg Glynllifon agriculture student combines his college commitments with being an active member of Dyffryn Ogwen YFC, playing rugby, singing and he's an award-winning competitive 'blade shearer'. He works part-time for local farmers and has been invited to Somerset and the Scottish Highlands for work experience this spring. 'It takes courage to try out anything new, but I was so inspired by the farmers and mentors I met through the Agri Academy that my expectations of what I can achieve have soared! And I loved the media training – all brilliant! 'We visited a range of inspirational farm businesses across Wales and had a study tour to Norway which gave me a different perspective on so many different aspects of animal health, business and financial management and the importance of utilising technology.' Cian says much of what he learned through the Agri Academy is now put into practice at home. 'We have set up a new techno strip grazing system, using electric fences to move the cattle every two days to make better use of our land, and we've also invested in mineral boluses which have improved the ewes' condition and fertility percentages. 'The Agri Academy taught me that if you want to be successful, you need to work hard, be open to new ideas and learn from others! 'Working early mornings, late evenings, weekends and all through college holidays are the norm,' says Cian, but he clearly wouldn't have it any other way, because as he says, the personal development support and training provided through Farming Connect are helping him achieve his goals and they've certainly broadened his outlook on his future career pathway! Having been set a great example by his dad who has a full-time job away from the farm, Cian is ambitious, focused and clearly hard-working – all attributes recognised by Lantra Cymru when he recently received his Young Learner of the Year 'joint runner up' award in the Under 20s category. Cian says that his lifelong goal is 'to be happy and continue enjoying what I do'. He's set his sights on university or an apprenticeship and hopes to fulfil his boyhood dream of becoming a livestock auctioneer alongside hands-on farming, competitive 'blade shearing' and running his own business. Sounds a lot, but when you consider what he's achieved so far, the future looks bright for this ambitious young farmer. The application window for the Agri Academy Junior Programme is open until 20 May. 'Don't hesitate, get your application in – it's the stepping stone young farmers need!' says Cian.
Pembrokeshire Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh farming's challenges discussed with Shadow Cabinet Secretary
SETTING up and growing a successful new business is something many people will only ever dream about. Young farmer Cian Iolen Rhys says that Farming Connect's Agri Academy Junior Programme gave him the confidence and life-skills to do exactly that – at 17 years old! Together with his friend Owain, Cian has set up a successful sheep-shearing contracting business which now services 17 local farms. 'I wouldn't be where I am today were it not for the confidence, skills, new friends and supportive networks I made through the Agri Academy and I'm so grateful for that opportunity.' Cian farms alongside his dad and younger brother at a 150-acre Council-owned beef and sheep farm near Bethesda. The second-year Coleg Glynllifon agriculture student combines his college commitments with being an active member of Dyffryn Ogwen YFC, playing rugby, singing and he's an award-winning competitive 'blade shearer'. He works part-time for local farmers and has been invited to Somerset and the Scottish Highlands for work experience this spring. 'It takes courage to try out anything new, but I was so inspired by the farmers and mentors I met through the Agri Academy that my expectations of what I can achieve have soared! And I loved the media training – all brilliant! 'We visited a range of inspirational farm businesses across Wales and had a study tour to Norway which gave me a different perspective on so many different aspects of animal health, business and financial management and the importance of utilising technology.' Cian says much of what he learned through the Agri Academy is now put into practice at home. 'We have set up a new techno strip grazing system, using electric fences to move the cattle every two days to make better use of our land, and we've also invested in mineral boluses which have improved the ewes' condition and fertility percentages. 'The Agri Academy taught me that if you want to be successful, you need to work hard, be open to new ideas and learn from others! 'Working early mornings, late evenings, weekends and all through college holidays are the norm,' says Cian, but he clearly wouldn't have it any other way, because as he says, the personal development support and training provided through Farming Connect are helping him achieve his goals and they've certainly broadened his outlook on his future career pathway! Having been set a great example by his dad who has a full-time job away from the farm, Cian is ambitious, focused and clearly hard-working – all attributes recognised by Lantra Cymru when he recently received his Young Learner of the Year 'joint runner up' award in the Under 20s category. Cian says that his lifelong goal is 'to be happy and continue enjoying what I do'. He's set his sights on university or an apprenticeship and hopes to fulfil his boyhood dream of becoming a livestock auctioneer alongside hands-on farming, competitive 'blade shearing' and running his own business. Sounds a lot, but when you consider what he's achieved so far, the future looks bright for this ambitious young farmer. The application window for the Agri Academy Junior Programme is open until 20 May. 'Don't hesitate, get your application in – it's the stepping stone young farmers need!' says Cian.
