Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones AM joined employers and trainees from across Wales to celebrate this year's Land-based Learners of the Year.
Managed by Lantra, the awards showcase training and learning in the environmental and land-based industries and highlight the immense benefits that it can deliver to any business.
The awards were presented by Elin Jones who said: "I am delighted to support these awards, which recognise and celebrate the world-class skills we have within the land-based industries of Wales. I hope the winners not only inspire new entrants but encourage everyone working in environmental and land-based industries to keep their skills up-to-date."
Life-Long Learner of the Year Award winner: Rachel Lewis-Davies
This year's winner of the Life-Long Learner of the Year Award is Rachel Lewis-Davies, 33, from Llanwern, Brecon. While actively engaged on the family farm and raising her young children, Rachel is an Agriscop Leader with Menter a Busnes, offering business advice to agricultural businesses. She is close to completing a degree in Environmental Management at the University in Wales, Newport, and is considering following this with a Masters.
Her nomination came from Wyn Owen, Lletyr Bugail.
Young Learner of the Year Award winner: Gwyn Johnson
Winner of the Young Learner of the Year Award was Gwyn Johnson, 20, from Maes Bach Farm, Tonteg, near Pontypridd. His active involvement in the farmily farm has diversified the mixed farm into a contracting business operating as hay and straw merchants. Gwyn is in his third year of the Higher National Certificate in Agriculture, and is an active member of his local Young Farmers Club.
Subsequently he has won the WelshLivery Guild Young Farmers Award with a £1,000 cash prize.
His nomination came from David Davies of Coleg Sir Gar.
The winners received a £300 training voucher, £200 cash prize, engraved Welsh crystal and a Lantra fleece. Other finalists, who each won £100 cash prize, were:
Life-Long Learner of the Year Award: Christine Chisholm.
Young Learner of the Year Award: Arwyn Bowen, Mike Horton, William Noble.
Also highly commended in the Young Learner category were: Jake Edwards and John Price.
For more information about the winners and finalists in Welsh.
For more information about the winners and finalists in English.
Thank you
Lantra would like to thank all the judges who gave up their valuable time to help with the selection process.
Link to the press release in Welsh.
Link to the press release in English.
For more information about the Land-based Learner Awards, or to find out how to get involved with the Lantra's future events, please contact Lantra's Welsh office.
