Sustainability has never been more important and once again NFU Cymru, along with sponsors Wynnstay Group PLC, is hosting its annual Sustainable Farming Conference.

The event, now in its third year, will showcase the harmonious relationship between agriculture and the environment and will take place on Thursday, September 28 at Bodwi, Mynytho, Pwllheli, LL53 7SG by kind permission of Edward Griffith and family.

Titled ‘Shaping Welsh Farming’s Future’, the on-farm event will promote the crucial role of farmers in Wales in producing high quality food alongside protecting, maintaining and enhancing the farmed environment, along with underpinning our rural communities and the Welsh language.

The conference will begin with tea and coffee at 10.30am and will focus on farming’s net zero journey, with keynote speaker Professor John Gilliand. John is an award-winning willow and livestock farmer from Northern Ireland, whose farm has independently been verified to be ‘beyond’ Net Zero, today.

There will be a sustainable farming in practice session, with a farmer panel highlighting the economic, environmental, social and cultural contribution of farming to Wales, and finally, weather permitting, a short farm work showcasing some of the environmental and net zero action being undertaken at Bodwi.

The conference is free for NFU Cymru members and stakeholders to attend. Lunch will be provided. Members should register for the event through the NFU Cymru website or by calling the NFU Cymru office on 01982 554200.

I must also take this opportunity to remind you about the NFU Cymru / Wynnstay Group PLC Sustainable Agriculture Award, which closes soon.

This award, again in its third year, seeks to recognise the unparalleled contribution Welsh farming enterprises make to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales.

The award aims to recognise the economic, environment, social and cultural contribution of farming in Wales and will be awarded to the farmer judged to have achieved the most outstanding example of sustainable farming business in Wales.

Nominations are invited from farms and/or farmers throughout Wales.

Farmers are invited to nominate themselves or they can be nominated by friends, relatives or organisations. Nomination forms are available for download from the NFU Cymru website. Alternatively, please contact the NFU Cymru office on 01982 554200 or email [email protected]

The winner of the award will receive £500 and a commemorative accolade. The closing date for entries is Monday, September 4 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at their farm by the judging panel during September and October and the winner will be announced at the NFU Cymru Conference on Thursday, November 2 2023.

Please do register for the conference and get your thinking caps on about who deserves to be this year’s award winner.