Eight local farmers attended an NFU Cymru Glamorgan Next Generation event, where they were given a detailed update on the union’s lobbying and also participated in activities designed to boost their skillsets and help them promote the industry.
The event, held at the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Bridgend office on Wednesday 20 May, was a regional offshoot of the successful NFU Cymru Next Generation Development Group programme.
The broader national scheme, which welcomed its fourth intake last year, provides opportunities for farmers under the age of 40 to engage with senior politicians and industry leaders to represent the interests of young farmers and help shape the future of Welsh farming.
Farmers attending the NFU Cymru Glamorgan Next Generation Development Group event this week were welcomed by NFU Cymru Glamorgan County Chair Katie-Rose Davies and the union’s local Couty Adviser Grug Evans.
Unique insight
"With the current NFU Cymru President, Abi Reader, hailing from our county and being a product of the local YFC movement, our group does not have to look very far for inspiration and the opportunities that being part of NFU Cymru can bring you."
Katie Rose Davies, NFU Cymru Glamorgan County Chair
NFU Cymru Policy Adviser Joe Rees Jones then provided the group with a detailed overview of the recent Senedd Elections results and what they mean for Welsh agriculture.
As part of his presentation, Joe Rees Jones outlined the areas of shared understanding between NFU Cymru and Plaid Cymru’s respective manifestos, as well explaining the union’s plans to engage with those elected to the newly expanded 96-Senedd, many of whom will be serving their first term as Members of the Senedd.
The following session saw NFU Cymru welcome back its former President, Aled Jones, for a question and session with County Chair Katie-Rose Davies, giving the young farmers a unique insight into the union’s lobbying with Welsh Government during the development of the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Media training
After lunch, NFU Cymru Communications Manager Daniel Johns gave the group a run-through of the union’s communications output, as well as putting the young farmers through their paces with interview skills training, designed to hone messaging to help participants best promote their industry through broadcast media.
NFU Cymru Glamorgan County Chair Katie-Rose Davies said: “The Vale of Glamorgan has always had a very active YFC community and at NFU Cymru we’re eager to have more of the next generation of farmers in the county playing an active part in the union’s lobbying, both locally and nationally.
Inspiration and opportunities
“With the current NFU Cymru President, Abi Reader, hailing from our county and being a product of the local YFC movement, our group does not have to look very far for inspiration and the opportunities that being part of NFU Cymru can bring you.
“I am very grateful to former NFU Cymru President Aled Jones for giving up his time to join us today to talk to us about his time leading the union. I must also thank the union’s staff who gave us a fantastic insight into the length and breadth of work they do on our behalf, whether that be lobbying government, defending our industry’s interests and reputation, or simply their campaign work championing Welsh food and farming.”
