Beef and sheep farmer Gemma Haines of south Wales has been elected as the chair of the Farmers’ Union of Wales‘ (FUW) Younger Voice for Farming committee.
Haines farms with her husband on the edge of Cefn Hirgoed common near Coity in Bridgend, where they keep 20 Highlanders and have around 90 Welsh mountain sheep.
The couple lease 37ac locally and have purchased 20ac adjoining the common where they have grazing rights.
Speaking on her appointment to the position of chair for the FUW Younger Voice for Farming committee, Haines said she was grateful for the opportunity and hoped that should could help generate discussion and action “that strengthens support for youngsters and new entrant in Wales going forwards”.
“Having a platform for young farmers and new entrants to discuss their hopes, fears, concerns and ambitions for the future is vitally important.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anwen Hughes, the previous chair of this committee for her hard work and wish her well in her new role as FUW south Wales vice president.”
‘A seed was sown in my mind’
Despite not being from a farming background, Haines said she has always had a keen interest in farming.
“I believe that because I enjoyed seeing the lambs and calves being born on the common whilst growing up, a seed was sown in my mind,” she said.
Haines studied environmental conservation at Glamorgan University where she became interested in sustainable agriculture and its role in landscape management.
“I realised early on in my studies that livestock grazing, when done sympathetically, played a huge part in not only protecting, but also allowing biodiversity to thrive in these unique landscapes. Later I came to realise I could play a part in that.”
She completed her studies in 2011 and became more involved with local farms where she assisted with lambing and shearing.
“My husband Rob also became increasingly interested in farming and fully supported me when I suggested in 2017, we should purchase some Highland Cattle for conservation grazing on Cefn Hirgoed common,” she said.
“We scrimped and saved to purchase our first cattle in autumn 2017. The first few months were a learning curve however we were very fortunate to be supported by friends in the local farming community.”
Haines has worked in farming for herself and her family since 2021, after lockdowns made her realise that it was what she wanted to do.
