Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths will address this year’s first Farming Connect Women in Agriculture forum, to be held at Bangor on Dee Racecourse on Thursday 21 June. The Cabinet Secretary will also launch Farming Connect’s new campaign on farm succession planning, “Start the conversation, it’s good to talk.”
The second Women in Agriculture forum will be held on Thursday, 28 June at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. In a change from previous years, both events will run from 3pm to 9pm, include a ‘speed-dating’ session and an evening dinner.
‘The benefits of red meat in a healthy balanced diet’, a topic which promises to provide good news for Wales’ red meat producers, will be presented by Dr Carrie Ruxton PhD, Nutrition Communications in the Bangor on Dee forum and in Llandrindod Wells, by Professor Robert Pickard, Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology at Cardiff University
An opportunity to have a brief one-to-one conversation by means of a speed dating session with a number of well-known faces in agriculture, include a neurobiologist; representatives from government and industry boards, banking, the media, and specialist agri-marketeers.
The programme for both events will conclude when Nuffield scholar and well-known journalist and broadcaster Anna Jones will be the guest speaker, addressing delegates on ‘Help or Hinder? Coverage of farming issues in the news media.’
Eirwen Williams, Menter a Busnes, which delivers Farming Connect on behalf of the Welsh Government, said that the aim of the events is to encourage women to drive forward change and innovation within farming particularly as businesses face the uncertainties of Brexit.
“Women play a pivotal role in many farm businesses and rural enterprises in Wales and there has never been a more important time to make sure their voices are heard,” said Mrs. Williams who added that the events not only bring like-minded women together but provide a unique opportunity to network and create new contacts within the Welsh agricultural industry.
Delegates will be invited to select and attend two facilitated workshops from the following four options:
Business Strategy Nigel Davies Business Consultant, Promar International
Health & Safety on Farm James Chapman Farmer & Nuffield Scholar
Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance Dr Gavin Watkins, Senior Officer and/or Gosia Siwonia, Veterinary Adviser Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer in Wales, Welsh Government
Farm Succession (Bangor on Dee)
Professor.MattLobley, Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research, University of Exeter
Farm Succession (Llandrindod Wells) Siân Bushell Farm Succession Facilitator
Booking is essential for both these events.
Contact the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000813 or visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/women-agriculture-1
For further information on the succession campaign visit the succession planning pages on the Farming Connect website after the event.
Farming Connect is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
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