Developing the next generation of rural leaders

John Davies FRAgS, 2012 RWAS President said he was delighted to collaborate with Farming Connect and other major agricultural organisations in Wales to find the right candidates for this new element of the Agri-Academy.

“We need to support these individuals to gain the necessary skills to effectively represent Welsh agriculture and the interests of rural Wales in the future, not just in Wales but in Cardiff, London and Brussels also,” said Mr Davies.

“The second element of the Agri-Academy, the Rural Leadership Programme, has been designed to develop a new generation of leaders, so we are looking for 15 candidates who have the potential to put Welsh agriculture on the international agenda,” said Eirwen Williams, Head of Rural Programmes with Menter a Busnes, which delivers Farming Connect services.

The Rural Leadership Programme will run during the six months between the Royal Welsh Show at the end of July and next year’s Farming Connect Conference in February. It will take place over eight days and include a three day study tour to the European Parliament in Brussels. The programme includes tutorials and seminars on effective communications, leadership and management skills, successful  chairmanship, networking and engagement. Applications are sought directly from candidates eligible for Farming Connect support who feel they have leadership potential, or they can be nominated by a Welsh rural organisation such as the RWAS, National Farmers Union Cymru, Farmers Union of Wales, Country Landowners Association (CLA) or Wales YFC.

The closing date for nominations/applications is 30 June 2012. Application forms can be downloaded from Menterabusnes - Farming Connect: Agri Academy.