Selected for their drive and commitment to agriculture and rural Wales – Farming Connect announces this year’s Agri Academy candidates

 

Farming Connect has announced the names of this year’s intake of 36 successful applicants selected to take part in its flagship personal development programme, the Agri Academy.

 

After a rigorous selection process, the panel of judges was again led by Professor Wynne Jones OBE FRAgS who said they were stunned with the outstanding calibre of this year’s candidates representing numerous sectors of farming and rural life in Wales.

 

“For the first time, a record 55% of applications were from women, which augurs well for the future of our industry with so many women in agriculture now thriving in increasingly prominent and visible profiles,” said Professor Wynne.

 

In another first for the Agri Academy, his co-judges this year were Agri Academy alumni. The selection panel included Llyr Jones, a director of Welsh rapeseed oil company Blodyn Aur and Nuffield Scholar and dairy engineer Tom Allison who both now operate their respective businesses at an international level, as well as farmers’ daughter and Chairman of the Wales YFC International Sub-Committee Angela Evans from Ceredigion.

 

This year’s intake of candidates incudes farmers; a rural GP; an economist, lawyers; numerous would-be land agents and students whose collective hobbies range from football to music and from pigs to poultry. Together they will bring the number of alumni up to 200 since the programme was launched in 2012.

 

For many alumni, the intensive programme of mentoring, training and study visits has given them the confidence and new networks which have helped them achieve their personal ambitions and create new business opportunities.

 

“Many who had already achieved their career goals before coming into the Academy, acknowledge that the experience provides a unique opportunity to progress even further,” said Professor Wynne.

 

The Agri Academy comprises three distinct programmes. This year’s intake includes 12 candidates on the Business & Innovation programme; 12 on the Rural Leadership programme, which is a joint collaboration with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and 12 on the Junior programme, which is a joint collaboration with Wales YFC.

 

Congratulating the ‘Class of 2018’, Professor Wynne said; “The Agri Academy is widely acknowledged by many employers as providing a valuable addition to a CV, each year we see more alumni taking up positions of importance and influence, personally contributing so much towards making Welsh agriculture sustainable, profitable and resilient, which is so important as we approach the uncertainties of Brexit.

 

“You are all excellent ambassadors for the Agri Academy and demonstrate the value of continual professional development.”

 

The Farming Connect Agri Academy, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, provides an intensive programme of mentoring, support and training provided by some of the industry’s most successful figureheads and personalities.

 

Each of the three programmes will involve a study tour, with Rural Leadership candidates visiting both the European and UK Parliaments in Brussels and London; Business & Innovation candidates will visit some of Iceland’s most innovative agri-businesses; while the Junior Programme candidates will plan their own study visit, due to take place during their autumn half term.

 

Regional quotes

Dr.Eilir Hughes, Pwllheli – RURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Welsh speaker Dr Eilir Hughes grew up on a dairy farm near Pwllheli before completing his higher education in Bangor, Swansea and Cardiff Universities where he studied psychology and medicine.

 

He returned to his birthplace in 2017 as a GP and now works across two sites to provide a community health service for 4,500 patients within a very rural area.

 

Equally passionate about caring for the medical needs of his patients and safeguarding the future of the family farm, Dr Hughes hopes that by being part of the Agri AcademyRural Leadership Programme, he’ll be introduced to a wider network of agricultural professionals and advisers.

 

“I believe I will gain confidence in my ability to lead and contribute to life in this part of Wales if I take advantage of opportunities such as those offered by the Agri Academy.”

Robert Evans, Aberaeron – BUSINESS & INNOVATION PROGRAMME

 

After spending time managing his family’s 500 acre rented farm and a number of overseas working visits, in 2013 Robert and his wife decided to purchase their own farm at Berthlwyd.

 

He manages a 90 head calf rearing unit and 30 head of Hereford cross Friesian replacements that are sold at market.  Robert enjoys undertaking work on behalf of Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd as a farm assessor to support members to achieve standards as part of the FAWL accreditation.

 

In addition to generating a good income for his wife and young son, Robert is keen to introduce innovation and new ideas to the current business.

“So often, farmers are price takers rather than price setters, and that is a real challenge for my business and the industry as a whole.

 

“I’m hoping to learn how I can contribute to this agenda through the Agri Academy Business & Innovation programme, and I am especially looking forward to learning more during the study tour to Iceland.

 

Tabitha Anthony, Bridgend – JUNIOR PROGRAMME

‘A’ level student Tabitha Anthony is a fourth-generation farmer’s daughter brought up on the family hill farm near Bridgend. Driven by a keen interest in both politics and agriculture, she’s intent on gaining as much work experience as she can alongside her academic studies and she’s optimistic that being part of the Agri Academy Junior Programme will give her a prestigious notch on that all-important CV as well as new networks to help her achieve her personal goals.

 

“I’m very much looking forward to being part of the Agri Academy and believe it will help me further my experience in the industry and business world which will prove invaluable as I strive towards my end goal of a career in politics.”

 

Wedi eu dewis am eu hymdrech a’u hymrwymiad tuag at amaethyddiaeth a chefn gwlad Cymru – cyhoeddirymgeiswyr llwyddiannus Academi Amaeth Cyswllt Ffermio am eleni

 

Mae Cyswllt Ffermio wedi cyhoeddienwau’r 36 ymgeisydd llwyddiannus sydd wedi’u dewis i gymryd rhan yn yr Academi Amaeth eleni sef rhaglen datblygu bersonol blaengar y prosiect.

 

Yn dilyn proses ddethol manwl, cafodd y panel o feirniaid ei arwain gan yr Athro Wynne Jones OBE FRAgSunwaith eto a ddywedodd eu bod wedi cael eu syfrdanu gan safon uchel yr ymgeiswyr eleni sy’n cynrychioli nifer o sectorau ffermio a bywyd cefn gwlad yng Nghymru.

 

“Am y tro cyntaf, roedd 55% o’r ceisiadau gan fenywod, sy’n argoeli’n dda ar gyfer dyfodol ein diwydiant gyda chynifer o fenywod mewn amaeth bellach yn ffynnu mewn proffiliau mwy amlwg a blaenllaw,” dywedodd yr Athro Wynne.

 

Mewn cam nodedig arall ar gyfer yr Academi Amaeth, roedd ei gyd-feirniaid eleni yn gyn-aelodau o’r Academi Amaeth. Roedd y panel dethol yn cynnwys Llyr Jones, cyfarwyddwr y cwmniolew had rêpBlodyn Aur ac Ysgolhaig Nuffield a pheiriannydd llaeth Tom Allison, dau sydd bellach yn rhedeg eu busnesau eu hunain ar lefel rhyngwladol, yn ogystal ag Angela Evans, merch fferm o Geredigion a Chadeirydd Is-bwyllgor Rhyngwladol CFfI Cymru.

 

Mae ymgeiswyr llwyddiannus eleni yn cynnwys ffermwyr; Meddyg Teulu mewn ardal wledig; economydd; cyfreithwyr; nifer o werthwyr tir posib a myfyrwyr gyda’i diddordebau’n amrywio o bêldroed i gerddoriaeth ac o foch i ddofednod. Ar y cyd, byddant yn codi nifer yr alumni i 200 ers lansiad y rhaglen yn 2012.

 

I nifer o gyn-aelodau, mae’r rhaglen ddwys o fentora, hyfforddiant a theithiau astudio wedi rhoi hyder iddynt a chyflwynorhwydweithiau newydd sydd wedi’u helpu i gyflawni eu huchelgeisiau personol a chreu cyfleoedd busnes newydd.

 

“Mae sawl un a oedd eisoes wedi cyflawni eu nodau gyrfa cyn ymuno â’r Academi, yn cydnabod bod y profiad yn darparu cyfle unigryw i ddatblygu ymhellach,” dywedodd yr Athro Wynne.

 

Mae’r Academi Amaeth yn cynnwys tair rhaglen benodol. Eleni, ceir 12 ymgeisydd ar y rhaglen Busnes ac Arloesedd; 12 ymgeisydd ar y rhaglen Arweinyddiaeth Wledig, sy’n fenter ar y cyd gyda Chymdeithas Amaethyddol Frenhinol Cymru a 12 ymgeisydd ar Raglen yr Ifanc, sy’n fenter ar y cyd gyda CFfI Cymru.

 

 

 

Wrth longyfarch ‘Dosbarth 2018’, dywedodd yr Athro Wynne,

“Cydnabyddir yr Academi Amaeth yn eang gan nifer o gyflogwyr fel ychwanegiad gwerthfawr ar CV. Bob blwyddyn, rydym yn gweld mwy o gyn-aelodau’nymgymryd â rolau pwysig a dylanwadol, gan wneud cymaint o gyfraniad personol tuag at wneud amaethyddiaeth yng Nghymru’ngynaliadwy, yn broffidiol ac yn wydn, sy’n hollbwysig wrth i ni ddod wyneb yn wyneb ag ansicrwydd Brexit.

 

“Rydych yn llysgenhadon gwych ar gyfer yr Academi Amaeth ac yn dangos gwerth datblygiad proffesiynolparhaus.”

 

Mae Academi Amaeth Cyswllt Ffermio, sy’n cael ei ddarparu gan Menter a Busnes a’i ariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru a Chronfa Amaethyddol Ewrop ar gyfer Datblygu Gwledig, yn cynnig rhaglen lawn o fentora, cefnogaeth a hyfforddiant a ddarperir gan rai o brifffigyrau a phersonoliaethau’r diwydiant.

 

Bydd y tair rhaglen yn cynnwys taith astudio, gydag ymgeiswyr y rhaglen Arweinyddiaeth Wledig yn ymweld â’r Senedd Ewropeaidd ym Mrwsel a Senedd y DU yn Llundain; ymgeiswyr y rhaglen Busnes ac Arloesedd yn ymweld rhai o fusnesau amaethyddol mwyaf arloesol Gwlad yr Iâ; a bydd ymgeiswyr Rhaglen yr Ifanc yn trefnu taith astudio eu hunain a fydd yn cymryd lle yn ystod hanner tymor yr hydref.

 

Dyfyniadaurhanbarthol

Dr Eilir Hughes, Pwllheli – RHAGLEN ARWEINYDDIAETH WLEDIG

Magwyd Dr Eilir Hughes ar fferm laeth ger Pwllheli cyn cwblhau ei addysg uwch ym Mhrifysgolion Bangor, Abertawe a Chaerdydd lle bu’n astudio seicoleg a meddygaeth.

 

Dychwelodd i fan ei eni yn 2017 fel Meddyg Teulu ac mae nawr yn gweithio dros ddau safle i gynnig gwasanaeth iechyd cymunedol i 4,500 o gleifion mewn ardal wledig iawn.

 

Yr un morangerddol am ofalu am anghenion meddygol ei gleifion a diogelu dyfodol y fferm deuluol, mae Dr Hughes yn gobeithio y bydd bod yn rhan o Raglen Arweinyddiaeth Wledig yr Academi Amaeth yn ei gyflwyno i rwydwaith ehangach o weithwyrproffesiynol a chynghorwyr amaethyddol.

 

“Credaf y byddaf yn magu hyder yn fy ngallu i arwain a chyfrannu at fywyd yn y rhan hon o Gymru os byddaf yn manteisio ar gyfleoedd fel y rhai hynny a gynigir gan yr Academi Amaeth.”

 

Robert Evans, Aberaeron – RHAGLEN BUSNES AC ARLOESEDD

Yn 2013, ar ôl treulio amser yn rheoli fferm deuluol 500 erw ar rent a nifer o ymweliadaudramor gyda’i waith, penderfynodd Robert a’i wraig fynd ar eu trywydd eu hunain a phrynu eu fferm eu hunain ym Merthlwyd.

 

Mae’n rheoli uned fagu ar gyfer 90 o loi o 90 a 30 o anifeiliaid cyfnewid Hereford a Friesian croes sy’n cael eu gwerthu yn y farchnad. Mae Robert yn mwynhau gwneud gwaith ar ran QWFC Cyf fel asesydd fferm er mwyn cefnogi aelodau i gyrraeddsafonau yn rhan o achrediad FAWL.

 

Yn ogystal â chynhyrchu incwm da i’w deulu, mae Robert yn awyddus i gyflwyno arloesedd a syniadau newydd i’r busnes presennol.

 

“Yn aml iawn, maeffermwyr yn cymryd y prisiau yn hytrach na gosod y prisiau yn, ac mae hynny’n sialens go iawn i’r busnes ac i’r diwydiant cyfan.

 

“Rwy’n gobeithio dysgu sut y gallafgyfrannu at yr agenda hwn trwy Raglen Busnes ac Arloesedd yr Academi Amaeth, ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr iawn at ddysgu rhagor yn ystod y daith astudio yng Ngwlad yr Iâ.”

 

Tabitha Anthony, Pen-y-bont – RHAGLEN YR IFANC

Mae Tabitha Anthony, sy’n astudio ei lefel A ar hyn o bryd, yn ferch fferm pedwaredd genhedlaeth a fagwyd ar fferm fynydd y teulu ger Pen-y-bont. Mae ganddi ddiddordeb brwd mewn gwleidyddiaeth ac amaeth, ac mae’n benderfynol o ennill cymaint o brofiad gwaith â phosibl ochr yn ochr â’i hastudiaethauacademaidd. Mae’n ffyddiog y bydd bod yn rhan o Raglen yr Ifanc yr Academi Amaeth yn ychwanegu at ei CV yn ogystal â’i chyflwyno i rwydweithiau newydd a fydd yn ei helpu i gyflawni ei nodau personol.

 

“Rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at fod yn rhan o’r Academi Amaeth ac rwy’n credu y bydd o gymorth i mi wrth ddatblygu fy mhrofiad yn y diwydiant ac ym myd busnes a fydd o werth mawr i mi wrth weithio tuag at fy nod o sicrhau gyrfa wleidyddol.”