Today sees the return of the prestigious Lantra Land-based Learner of the Year Awards in Wales. Now in its twenty first year, the awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of learners from across the land-based and environmental industries in Wales.
Learners of all ages from across Wales were eligible to enter the awards. Winners will be announced by Alun Davies, Minister for Natural Resources and Food during the Welsh Winter Fair on Monday, 2 December. Sponsored by industry bodies including FUW, Farming Connect, NFU, NRW, this year’s awards feature the categories of Land Management and Production, Animal Health and Welfare, Horticulture and Environmental Industries and the Farming Connect Learner of the Year.
Kevin Thomas, Lantra’s National Director for Wales said: “The quality of nominees has been excellent this year. All finalists display an outstanding ability together with an interest to continue developing their skills and knowledge and so it is proving to be difficult task for the judges. What’s more, we are thrilled that Alun Davies will be joining us to announce this year’s winners at the presentation.”
Speaking about Monday’s awards, Alun Davies commented: “I am pleased to support these awards which recognise the world-class knowledge and skills we have within Wales’s land-based and environmental industries. These nominees demonstrate the part that learning and skills can play in helping individuals to develop rewarding careers and also ensuring their farms are healthy, profitable and sustainable businesses.”
The finalists in this year’s Land-based Learner of the Year are:
- Ashley Jones, age 19 from Carmarthen, studying a foundation degree in Animal Science at Coleg Sir Gar
- Huw Parry, age 18 from Blaenau Ffestiniog, a Land-Based Technology student at Llandrillo Menai, Glynllifon
- Jacqui Law, age 46 from St Clears in Carmarthenshire, who owns her own business Extremus Dog Training and studies BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour & Welfare at Coleg Sir Gar
- James Crawford, age 23 from Wrexham, studying Wildlife and Conservation at Coleg Cambrian Llysfasi
- John James, age 19 from Powys, studying a Level 3 diploma in work-based agriculture at Neath and Port Talbot College (Coleg Powys)
- Katie Frimston, age 19 from Denbighshire, now studying for a Masters degree in Osteopathy following her equine studies at Coleg Cambria Northop
- Katie Daniel, age 21 from Ystradgynlais, currently studying for a HND at Coleg Sir Gar
- Marcus Ferraro, age 22, a young farmer from Carmarthenshire
- Nicola Drew, age 29, a farmer from Brecon, Powys
- Paul Dimneck, age 28 from Rhondda Cynon Taff, currently studying for an HNC at Coleg Sir Gar
- Lauren Salisbury-Arndt, age 17 from Wrexham, studying a Level 3 extended diploma in Agriculture at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi
- Lisa Kucyk, age 34 from Swansea, who owns her own business Cwm Dog Retreat and studies a Foundation Degree in Animal Science at Coleg sir Gar
- Lloyd Hammond, age 18 from Powys, a Neath and Port Talbot College (Coleg Powys) student studying a Level 3 Work-based Diploma in Agriculture, a Level 2 Diploma in Land-based Technology and an OCN/Agored Level 3 in Rural Accounts and Enterprise Management
- Steve Cutmore, age 46 from Denbighshire, who owns his own forestry business Treevival and lectures at Coleg Cambrian Llysfasi.
The awards ceremony at 10am at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3WY.
