10 young farmers from across Wales have been selected as the recipients of this year’s Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarships.
A total of £4,000 has been awarded to the scholars wishing to broaden their knowledge of agriculture following a donation from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Mutual Charitable Trust.
The scholarship programme, 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 chair of the NFU Cymru education committee.
Gareth believed fervently that travel was an important form of education for young people.
This year’s award were recently presented by Jim McLaren MBE, chair of NFU Mutual’s board of directors.
Scholarships
This main winner of this year’s scholarships is William Davies who was awarded £1,000 to help fund his travels to the US.
The 24-year-old farmer from Howey in Powys, is a graduate of Aberystwyth University and is heavily involved with the family beef and sheep enterprise, alongside his contract shepherding business.
The award will help fund a two-month study trip to the US to learn more about livestock farming.
“I hope to enhance my stockman skills from visiting ranches in Montana and Wyoming and to learn more about the US’s red meat industry.
“I feel this will be invaluable as the marketing and production of red meat is constantly under scrutiny and it’s vital to have a well-rounded and educated understanding of worldwide production.
“This in turn not only helps at individual farm level but also helps future proof the red meat industry within the UK,” William said.
Travel
There are nine further recipients from the scholarship programme this year who are each receiving a financial contribution to help with their travels.
Elizabeth Preston, from Presteigne in Powys, received £700 towards a four-month trip to New Zealand.
The 22-year-old Aberystwyth University graduate will visit dairy farms in New Zealand to learn more about regenerative agriculture and how these principles could be applied here in Wales.
Carys Dyke, a 19-year-old sheep and beef farmer from Howey, near Llandrindod Wells, also receives £700 towards a six month visit to New Zealand sheep and dairy farms.
The former pupil of Ysgol Calon Cymru also studied at Reaseheath College where she has recently attained a Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture.
Aberystwyth University graduate Tudor Roderick, from Brecon, will receive £400 towards a one-month trip to Australia.
The 25-year-old beef and sheep farmer will visit Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania to learn about their sheep breeding programmes.
The remaining six recipients from the scholarship this year will each receive £200 to help with their travels.
