NFU Cymru and sponsors NFU Mutual have again begun the search for the Wales Woman Farmer of the Year.
Now in its 23rd year, the competition aims to celebrate the contribution of women in what is traditionally a very male-dominated industry.
The winner of the NFU Cymru / NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2019 award will receive £500 and the person who nominates the winner will receive £50 of local farm shop vouchers or goods.
The closing date for the competition is Monday, June 17, 2019. The award will be presented on Thursday, July 25 at the Royal Welsh Show.
The 2018 winner was Jess Yeomans (pictured top), a goat farmer from Llanvetherine near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire.
Together with her husband, Jess runs a successful business from the family farm, supplying goat milk from their herd of 900 Saanen and Toggenburg cross goats to Abergavenny Fine Foods, where it is used to make cheese.
She also has a pedigree herd of 20 Welsh Black suckler cows.
Aled Jones, NFU Cymru deputy president said: “The Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award is there to champion the role that women make to farming businesses and wider rural life.
“This year NFU Cymru has also launched a ‘She Who Dares…Farms’ conference, which aims to further highlight the role of women in the agricultural industry.
Over the years we have seen some exceptional winners of this award and we look forward to receiving applications for the 2019 title.
Maria Norejko NFU Mutual’s Agent and NFU group secretary in Llandovery said: “We’ve seen a fantastic rise in the number of women farmers in the industry, many running farms themselves and leading diversification enterprises to increase farm income.
“We are proud to recognise the critical role these women play in Welsh agriculture and hope that this award will inspire other women in Wales to take centre stage and influence farming in the future.”
If you are interested in entering – or know someone who you think is worthy of being Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2019 – visit the NFU Cymru website to download an application form.
Alternatively, entries can be made through the NFU Cymru office by emailing Clare Williams on: [email protected].
