NFU Cymru and Natwest Welsh Farm Employee of the Year award winner announced
Jeremy Phillips from Stackpole, Pembrokeshire has just been announced as the winner of the 2008/09 NFU Cymru / Natwest Farm Employee of the Year Award.
The competition, in its fourth year, recognises the vital role which employees play in the farming industry with the Award winner receiving the top prize of £500 and two runners-up getting £100 each.
Jeremy Phillips works for Edward Morris of Loveston Farm, Merrion, Pembroke.
Jeremy joined the farm after attending Usk Agricultural College 26 years ago. He turns his hand to anything from ploughing to combining, from lambing to feathering turkeys. His skills as a mechanic, welder and builder have all contributed to the business. Outside of work Jeremy has been a community councillor for the past 15 years, is a member of Pembroke Farmers Club and is a part time barman.
According to his employers Jeremy's work ethic is 'let's have a go' when faced with something new. In his application form for the award, Mr Morris said, "He truly cares about his standard of workmanship, putting his all into, and taking pride from, the crops and animals standing in the fields. He has never let us down during the past 26 years."
NFU Cymru Vice-President, Ed Bailey said, "Many Welsh farms would not be the successful economic units they are if it wasn't for the continuous and reliable efforts put in by the employees."
The two runners up, who will receive £100 each, are Jim Morris Pembrokeshire and Alan Kidd from Bridgend.
Jim Morris lives and works in Abercych, Pembrokeshire and his employers are Eira and Laurence Harris who are perhaps more famously known for their successful Daioni organic milk shake business. Jim, a runner up in last year's competition, has worked with three generations of the Harris family for over 50 years. When he joined Ffosyficar farm (which is next door to his home) it was less than 200 acres and it is now over 2,000 acres. He has worked there through all the changes including the conversion to organic status. Jim helps with all the farm tasks including mechanic, ploughing, relief milker and helping with the Daioni milk shake business.
Alan Kidd works for Richard and Lynwen Anthony at Tythegston Farm, Tythegston, Bridgend. He has been employed there for the past nine years as the head tractor driver. As well as undertaking tasks on his employer's farm he is invaluable in their agricultural contracting business. For customers he does ploughing and cultivations, fertiliser / muck spreading, mowing and harvest operations, including big square baling. In the words of his employers Albie, as he is known to everyone, is a good motivator to those around him and when times are difficult he will invariably make a joke of the situation to lighten the atmosphere and reduce tension.
Martin Doyle, Director of Agriculture in Wales for Natwest Bank said, "All three of the finalists were outstanding and I am pleased that each will get a prize as all of them deserve to win."
