An unique opportunity to develop and nurture skills

As a union, we are extremely proud of our policy team, which goes above and beyond to ensure that the voice of Welsh farmers is heard when lobbying those responsible for shaping the agricultural policies that determine the future of our family farms.

The aim of the RWAS Rural Leadership Programme is to nurture the next generation of rural and agricultural leaders in Wales, and Policy Officer Ceinwen Lloyd (pictured right) has been selected to be part of the 2026–27 cohort. I recently had a chat with Ceinwen and asked what led her to apply. “When I started my new job as a Policy Officer, I was new to the union and felt somewhat unsure of my ability to carry out the role to the standard I expected of myself,” Ceinwen explained. “Gareth, my manager, suggested the programme as a great way to build confidence and strengthen my understanding of the agricultural industry.”

“I also spoke with my colleague, Elin, who had taken part in a past programme. She was extremely positive about her experience and highlighted the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and valuable professional contacts across the sector.

“When writing my application, I wasn’t sure if I was the type of person the programme was looking for. Nevertheless, I decided to apply in order to push myself out of my comfort zone and take advantage of an unique opportunity for my personal development. I am deeply passionate about ensuring that women and young people have a voice within the agricultural sector. I strongly believe that you don’t have to be on the farm every day to be supportive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the future of Welsh agriculture.

“We have already had the opportunity to meet as a cohort, and the experience has been incredibly valuable. We attended the Bath and West Royal Show to represent the Royal Welsh Show. Our task was to speak with stallholders and industry members to understand what they saw as the main opportunities and threats facing agriculture over the next five years. This was a fantastic opportunity to broaden my perspective and have conversations with people from all over Britain.

“Over the rest of the year, I look forward to continuing to attend similar events that challenge me to develop my confidence and ensure I contribute more actively to the group’s discussions. I am particularly excited about visiting the Senedd in Cardiff and having the opportunity to meet MSs, as this will be very beneficial to me in my current role. I am also really looking forward to the media training session and the visit to Westminster, which will provide valuable insight into the policy-making and decision-making processes.”

“Opportunities like this are vital to the future of agriculture in Wales. The sector is facing a period of significant change, with new technological developments, increasing environmental demands, and shifting consumer expectations. To respond to these challenges, confident leaders are needed who can combine practical experience with new ideas and diverse perspectives.

“It is also important to ensure that more women are seen and heard within the industry. Women are already making a huge contribution to Welsh agriculture, but programmes like this help to develop the next generation of female leaders and provide the confidence and skills needed to take on influential roles.

“Finally, it is more important than ever to promote and support Welsh produce. Wales has an excellent reputation for producing high-quality food, and we need to continue encouraging people to choose and value locally produced food. By developing new leaders and giving a voice to a wider range of people within the sector, we can help ensure a sustainable and thriving future for Welsh agriculture.”

All the best, Ceinwen, and enjoy the experience! We look forward to hearing more about it during your year with the Programme.