The awards were held at the Lantra building at the Winter Fair, with 70 attendees who witnessed Tomos Dion Davies, Julie Amies-Carter and Richard and Dawn Lewis announced as the winners.
Dion has already developed a strong, in depth knowledge of his industry at the young age of 20, and has taken over the running of the family farm at Llandysul, Ceredigion. He was the judging panel's top choice and was awarded the Land-based Learner of the Year 2007 'Young Learner' title.
Julie Amies-Carter, of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, has proved that it's important never to lose your focus. She took the Land-based Learner of the Year 'Life-long Learner' title, having invested the past fifteen years in experience and training at home as well as abroad.
As well as managing a farm of 110 dairy cows and 60-70 acres of cereals, Richard and Dawn Lewis have taken diversification down a unique route by incorporating not only a farm trail but also a Frisbee golf course into their farm at Slebech, Haverfordwest!
The winners each received a cash prize and Lantra training voucher worth £500, with runners-up each receiving a Lantra training voucher worth £100.
Elin Jones, the Welsh Assembly Minister for Rural Affairs, was unable to attend the event in person but sent these words of support: “I very much support these awards which, since their inception in 1999, have enjoyed fantastic growth in terms of nominations, sponsorship, publicity, prize categories, attendance and support from industry.
"These awards go a long way towards raising the profile of career and training opportunities for all ages within the environmental and land-based sector and encouraging new entrants into the sector amongst other things.
"I applaud Lantra in recognising and rewarding outstanding learners/talent from the land-based sector, and hope that these awards continue to promote and encourage training and career opportunities for all ages.”
Nominations for next years competition are now being invited, so if you know of someone from the land based sector who has excelled in their field of learning or business with the support of training, and is as inspirational as Dion, Julie, Richard and Dawn, contact hefin.hughes@lantra.co.uk for a nomination form.
