Ten young farmers win travel scholarships to travel the world

Ten young farmers from across Wales will now travel the world to learn more about farming
Ten young farmers from across Wales will now travel the world to learn more about farming

Ten young farmers from across Wales have financially benefited from this year’s Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship.

A total of £2,300 has been awarded by the Management Committee to scholars wishing to broaden their knowledge of agriculture, following a donation from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

This year’s main winners are Owen Morris and Clare James, who will both receive £600 each to help fund their travels to New Zealand and the USA respectively.

22-year-old Owen works alongside his parents and younger brother on a beef and sheep farm in the hills of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, near Oswestry.

The award will help fund a four-month study trip to New Zealand where he will learn more about how they use genetics and livestock management skills to make their sheep enterprises more profitable

Owen said: “I am really looking forward to spending time in New Zealand to widen my knowledge of agriculture. In particular I’m eager to learn from the Kiwis about their grassland management and how they make the most of every blade of grass and I hope to implement some of the things I learn out there to help make our farming enterprise more profitable.”

Tour of the USA

Clare, who’s also 22, has recently graduated from Harper Adams University after gaining a BSc (Honours) in Agri-Business.

She grew up on the family beef and sheep farm in Llanyre, near Llandrindod Wells, and she’s planning to take a five month study tour of the USA to further her knowledge of the beef industry.

Commenting on her upcoming trip, Clare said: “I’m aiming to advance my knowledge of the global beef sector and production systems. On my return from America I wish to gain employment within the livestock sector, with the personal aim to advance production and increase the competitiveness of the red meat sector.”

There are eight further recipients from the scholarship this year who are each receiving a financial contribution to help with their travels.

Different farming systems

Hannah Lawrence, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire receives £350 towards a one month trip to the USA.

She has recently completed a Foundation Degree in Agriculture at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

She will spend time exploring different farming systems by visiting a variety of farms including dairy, beef and vineyard enterprises in the United States. She hopes to take some new experiences and ideas home with her that will help benefit the family farm.

Iwan George, from Eglwyswrw in Pembrokeshire receives £350 towards the costs of attending the week-long Rural Youth Europe rally which will be held in Latvia in August.

He will represent Wales YFC at the event and will participate in various workshops and seminars that will empower rural young people to promote diverse, responsible and peaceful societies and develop understanding and co-operation between young people from different countries all over Europe.

Four of the recipients from the scholarship this year will each receive £75 to help with their travels.

Australian adventure

Will James, from Three Cocks, near Brecon, who has recently graduated in Agriculture at Harper Adams University, receives £75 towards a 6 month trip to Australia.

He wants to learn more about different methods of farming and to explore new techniques, efficiencies and skills that he hopes to be able to adapt and introduce on the family farm.

Hettie Evans, a recent graduate in Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University receives £75 towards a six month trip to New Zealand.

The 22-year-old, from Llwyncelyn, near Aberaeron in Ceredigion wants to gain knowledge of both intensive and extensive livestock farming systems in New Zealand.

Rosie Davies, from Llanwrtyd Wells in Powys, receives £75 towards a four month trip to Australia and New Zealand.

The Harper Adams University graduate’s travels will take her away from the family hill sheep farm to expand her agricultural knowledge and she aims to learn more about dairy and beef production as well as develop her expertise about large scale deer production.

Argentina

Evan Thomas, from Cowbridge, also receives £75 towards a two week trip to Argentina.

He currently works on a beef and arable farm and will spend one week in Cordoba helping to establish gardens and the other week working on an organic farm. He hopes to learn new techniques for the future as his aim is to obtain a farm tenancy.

The two other recipients from the scholarship this year will each receive £50 to help with their travel

The scholarship, which is administered by NFU Cymru, was set up in memory of the late Gareth Raw Rees who, for many years, was a delegate on the NFU Council and Chairman of the NFU Cymru Education Committee. Gareth believed fervently that travel was an important form of education for young people.