ARE you passionate about the future of the Welsh farming, forestry and horticulture sectors?  Do you have great people skills and a proven track record in terms of farming and business management?  Are you a successful entrepreneur with experience of innovative or diversified ways of working? 

Mentera, which delivers Farming Connect on behalf of the Welsh Government, is now seeking to appoint an inspirational new leader for the Agri Academy Senior (Business & Innovation) programme, Farming Connect’s prestigious personal development initiative, now in its fourteenth year. 

Confidence, skills and top-class credentials

“If you believe you have the confidence, skills and relevant land-based and business credentials to support, coach and guide future candidates as they embark on their individual personal development journeys, we want to hear from you,” says Farming Connect’s Head of Skills, Einir Davies.

The part-time, self-employed role, largely home-based, will include planning, arranging and facilitating an inspiring programme of workshops, training and study visits while building and fostering a trusting relationship with every participant, empowering each one to express themselves and fulfil their own personal and business ambitions.

Ms Davies explained that the leadership role offers immense job satisfaction and rewards, with the newest incumbent following in the footsteps of some of Wales’ most well-known and respected individuals.

Are you ready to lead, support and nurture the rural stars of tomorrow?

“With the activity-packed programme focused around three short but intensive study periods a year – usually in September, October and November – including an overseas study visit and a business management challenge based on an actual farm business, the Agri Academy commitment has proved enormously rewarding for all our previous leaders, fitting in relatively easily with their busy professional and family lives,” said Ms Davies.

Denbighshire farmer and businessman Llyr Jones – better known by his many friends, business contacts and mentees as ‘Llyr Derwydd’ – has headed up the programme since 2019. 

Having first taken part in the Agri Academy Business & Innovation programme as a participant in 2013, Llyr appreciates at first-hand what a unique and unrivalled experience it is for those fortunate enough to be selected.

“More than anything else, the businesspeople, mentors, coaches and new networks of friends and colleagues I met fuelled my drive and ambition for so many aspects of my life that I now take for granted,” says Llyr, who has a varied farming portfolio, including large-scale beef, lamb and poultry enterprises as well setting up Wales’ first rapeseed oil manufacturing company.

“Returning as the programme leader a few years later gave me an opportunity to give back in some way, and it’s been so rewarding to see so many people, from all sectors of the land-based industries, flourish and achieve so much.

“Being part of the Farming Connect Agri Academy is undoubtedly a life-affirming experience for both candidates and their leaders.

“This is your opportunity to mentor and support some of the up-and-coming rural stars of the future, the generation responsible for safeguarding the future sustainability and viability of Welsh farming – so don’t hesitate – apply today!” 

To apply for this contract send your CV and covering letter to einir.davies@mentera.cymru before 12pm on Friday 28 March.

THE SHOCK announcement from Defra of its abrupt closure to its flagship environmental support payment, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the National Sheep Association (NSA) fears will have disastrous consequences for farms.

Defra released the news that no new SFI applications will be accepted yesterday (Tuesday 11th March 2025) with no prior indication of its plans to do so.

In Defra’s words, the government could no longer run an ‘uncapped scheme with a finite farming budget’.

NSA is concerned many farming businesses still diligently testing and checking how SFI options would impact or complement their sheep system will now have fallen through a crack in payments between the reduction of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and SFI being stopped.

In response, NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “This latest Defra announcement feels disastrous – a word I don’t use lightly. I’m seriously concerned many farms will now face 2025 with an accelerated decline of BPS income – and no access to SFI which for most farmers will be the main plank to replace that money.

“Whether we like it or not many farms are financially dependent on government-funded income streams and, with this SFI suspension, and a whole range of other financial pressures, it feels like we are approaching our ‘New Zealand moment’ with a potential restructuring of our farming industry and the phasing out of agricultural support.

NSA considers the shock move indicates poor scheme design and management and is in disbelief how Defra has arrived at this position and not stepped in to manage it earlier.

Mr Stocker continues: “SFI was intended to be a non-competitive scheme which suggested it would be available for all with no cut off point. The Government’s target was for more than 70% of land and 70% of all farms to be covered by 2028. However, the SFI scheme has stopped at little over 50% of farms, with less than 38,000 agreements live.

“The stop/start nature of these funding streams is disastrous and will lead to farmers becoming completely disillusioned with their engagement with Defra and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). It was only a week ago the capital grants restarted and now, with no advance warning, the main plank of BPS replacement for many farms is being taken away.

“Upland and lowland farms that are not yet part of SFI, but that were intending to be this year will be seriously affected. For many in the uplands when considering this latest removal of support with the decline of BPS, the situation could be life changing. Cash flow on these farms in 2025/26 will be seriously compromised and there will be a question over how supportive the banks will be and whether farms will be able to climb out of the financial hole this will leave.

“For all the co-design and warm words that Defra want a different relationship with industry – this will just about destroy all that has been built over the last five years. Coming back from this will be hard.”

CONTINUING professional development (CPD) is an anticipated mandatory requirement for all farm businesses in Wales which enter the Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). Due to start on 1 January next year, the version of the SFS currently being considered includes the requirement to complete a minimum of six hours of learning, plus an element of Health & Safety, every year, for each business.

Well-known Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Stephen James, FRAgS of Gelliolau, Clynderwen says this is a positive step forward for Welsh farming. Mr James welcomed the Welsh Government’s response to the last SFS consultation, which resulted in a decision to make the training requirement more flexible and inclusive by including short courses, online training modules, attendance at demonstration days, discussion groups and other knowledge transfer activities eligible for CPD.

“Committing to learning will help equip farmers and all those working in the land-based industries with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive and prosper in today’s rapidly changing rural landscape,” says Mr James, who was recently awarded Lantra Cymru’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Most professions insist on some level of CPD and this approach will benefit Welsh agriculture significantly, helping farmers to stay viable, resilient and competitive.

“Whatever age we are and however experienced we might me, the onus is on us as an industry to have the mindset that embraces personal development, which in turn leads to business development.”

Working together will create a professional, efficient and sustainable sector

“Welsh Government provides a wealth of support for rural businesses and thanks to organisations including Farming Connect, Lantra Cymru, our levy boards and others, the industry is working collaboratively to create a more professional, efficient and sustainable farming sector that can adapt to changing policies and market demands while achieving the highest standards of environmental stewardship.

“If we fail to take advantage of all this support and don’t learn about innovation, invest in new technologies, adopt best practice and find more efficient, cost-effective ways of sustainable land, livestock and business management, we risk losing out in today’s evolving markets.

“To safeguard the future of family farms for future generations, we need to focus on farming sustainably and comply with regulations, alongside working towards stronger business performance and achieving optimum productivity levels,” said Mr. James.

Finding solutions to challenges

Mr James, a well-known and well-respected rural figurehead, combines hands-on regenerative farming at the 600-acre family dairy farm he runs in partnership with his son Daniel, alongside numerous public-facing roles. A passionate advocate for young and new entrants, Mr James has been at the forefront of rural affairs in Wales for over 40 years. Chair of the Wales Animal Health & Welfare Framework since 2018, he is a past president of the NFU Cymru, remains closely associated with Wales YFC and has served with numerous agricultural organisations, not only within Wales but internationally. He has advised both the Welsh and UK Governments, former European Commission bodies and remains a vocal and influential figure within many of agriculture’s key stakeholder organisations, including through his longstanding membership of the Farming Connect Programme Board.

“We all recognise that our industry is under pressure. Climate and nature emergencies, market pressures, changing consumer demands and the requirement for sustainable land management which protects the environment, present us all with daily challenges.

“If we stay informed, we stay prepared, we stay adaptable and resilient,” said Mr James who emphasised that it is the responsibility of all those working in the land-based sectors to take full advantage of the wealth of support, guidance, events and training that’s available.

“The level of support available in Wales is the envy of many other farming nations and it’s essential we make full use of this.”

Stay informed, prepared and adaptable

“The transition to the Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) heralds change but brings new opportunities too and will transform the way we manage our land, our livestock and our businesses for the better across all sectors, combining sustainable land management with profitability.

“As environmental custodians, it is our responsibility to professionalise and modernise the industry, to protect what we have for the next generation – upskilling must be a key component of this,” said Mr. James.

Eligible farmers registered with Farming Connect can access a range of fully-funded or subsidised training options including face-to-face accredited courses, e-learning modules and knowledge transfer options from key industry experts including Animal Health & Welfare training workshops, all eligible for CPD.

For further information on Farming Connect’s skills, training and knowledge transfer provision, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/business/skills-and-training or contact your local development officer.