The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has announced that Tir Dewi and Prostate Cymru have been selected as the Union’s President’s charities for the 2026–2029 term, following the re-election of Ian Rickman as FUW President.
The announcement was made during the Wednesday evening function at the Royal Welsh Show, marking the beginning of a new three-year fundraising partnership with two Welsh charities supporting the health and wellbeing of farming communities.
The appointment follows nominations submitted by FUW county branches, with Tir Dewi and Prostate Cymru receiving strong support from across the Union during the selection process.
The two charities succeed the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, which served as the FUW President’s charity over the previous three years. During that period, the Union and its members raised £65,000 in support of the charity’s lifesaving work across Wales.
TIR DEWI
Tir Dewi provides free, confidential, bilingual support to farmers and their families across Wales, offering practical, emotional and preventative help when farming life becomes overwhelming. Through its 365-day-a-year bilingual helpline, one-to-one support, farm visits and community outreach, the charity supports more than 5,000 people annually, delivering over 11,000 hours of frontline support.
Working with a small team of permanent staff and more than 50 volunteers, Tir Dewi helps farming families facing a wide range of challenges, including bereavement, isolation, mental health issues, financial pressures, succession planning, regulatory change and family disputes. The charity has also seen demand for its services increase by 18% over the past six months, with increasingly complex cases requiring support.
FUW President Ian Rickman said: "I am honoured to select Tir Dewi and Prostate Cymru as my President's charities for the term ahead. Both organisations carry out invaluable work supporting the health and wellbeing of people across Wales, and I am delighted that the Union will be working alongside them over the next three years.
"Mental health remains one of the most significant challenges facing our farming communities, with many individuals and families dealing with increasing pressures. Tir Dewi provides an invaluable source of confidential support for those facing difficult circumstances, and I hope we can help raise both awareness of its services and vital funds for its work.
"At the same time, prostate cancer affects thousands of men and their families across Wales, making greater awareness and earlier diagnosis increasingly important. By supporting Prostate Cymru, we hope to shine a light on these issues while helping the charity continue its important work.
"I know our members will get behind both charities, and I look forward to seeing the difference we can make together over the coming years."
Janine Griffiths-Baker, CEO of Tir Dewi, said: "We are honoured to have been selected as one of the FUW President's charities. Farming families across Wales continue to face significant personal, financial and emotional pressures, and this partnership will help us reach more people who may be struggling in silence. Our Chairman, Peter Harlech Jones, joins me in expressing our sincere gratitude to the FUW and its members for their support. We look forward to working together over the next three years to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing within our farming communities."
PROSTATE CYMRU
The Union will also support Prostate Cymru, a Welsh charity that works to raise awareness of prostate cancer and other prostate diseases, while supporting improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care for men across Wales.
The charity's appointment is particularly timely following the recent prostate cancer diagnoses of both FUW Regional Vice-Presidents, Alun Owen and Brian Bowen.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in Wales, with around one in eight men expected to be diagnosed during their lifetime. The partnership will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the condition alongside supporting the charity's work over the next three years.
FUW Regional Vice-President Alun Owen said: “Having recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and having undergone treatment, I am especially pleased to see the FUW supporting Prostate Cymru as one of its President's charities.
"I hope this partnership helps to raise awareness of prostate cancer and encourages more men in rural areas to speak to their GP about getting checked, whether they have symptoms or not. Early diagnosis can make a real difference, while this partnership will also support the invaluable work Prostate Cymru carries out for individuals and families across Wales.”
Tina Tew, Chief Executive of Prostate Cymru, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the FUW President's charities for the next three years. The farming community is at the heart of Wales, and this partnership presents an important opportunity to increase awareness of prostate cancer, encourage conversations about men's health and support efforts to improve outcomes for men across the country. We look forward to working alongside the FUW and its members throughout the partnership."
Announcing the charities, FUW President Ian Rickman said the selection reflected the priorities identified by the Union's county branches and the importance of supporting organisations making a tangible difference to farming families and rural communities across Wales.
Over the next three years, the FUW will work closely with both charities through fundraising events and awareness campaigns across Wales, helping to strengthen support for the physical and mental wellbeing of farming communities.
Former Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) Farmer Director Darren Williams has been presented with the union's Internal Award in recognition of his outstanding service and commitment to the FUW and Welsh agriculture.
The award was presented during the FUW President's Reception at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday evening, where Darren was recognised for his many years of dedication to the union and his significant contribution to Welsh farming.
A mixed livestock tenant farmer at Talwen Fawr Farm near Brecon, Powys, Darren has combined his farming career with an unwavering commitment to representing Welsh agriculture. Alongside running his farm, he has represented South Wales producers on the Tesco Sustainable Lamb Group, served as an independent farmer on the Welsh Government's Sustainable Farming Scheme Roundtable, contributed to the Carbon Sequestration Panel, and has been Cattle Foreman at the Royal Welsh Show for over 20 years.
Darren has been a prominent member of the Farmers' Union of Wales for many years, serving as Brecon and Radnor County Chair and County President before joining the FUW Board as a Farmer Director in 2017.
During his nine years on the Board, Darren played a key role in overseeing the union's transition to a limited company structure, helping strengthen its governance and lay the foundations for the modern organisation. He completed the maximum nine-year term as a Farmer Director in 2026.
Alongside his work within the FUW, Darren has continued to play a prominent role across Welsh agriculture. As well as his involvement with the Sustainable Farming Scheme Roundtable as an independent farmer representative, he recently joined the Board of Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), where he continues to represent the interests of levy payers and the wider red meat sector.
Presenting the award, FUW President Ian Rickman paid tribute to Darren's dedication to both the union and the wider industry.
"Darren has made an exceptional contribution to the Farmers' Union of Wales through his leadership, professionalism and commitment during a period of significant change for the organisation.
"His willingness to give his time, knowledge and experience has benefited not only the union, but the wider agricultural industry in Wales. Whether representing members in governance, contributing to national policy discussions or championing Welsh farming on the wider stage, Darren has consistently demonstrated integrity, thoughtfulness and a genuine passion for the future of family farming.
"On behalf of the union, I am delighted to present Darren with this well-deserved Internal Award and thank him for his years of dedicated service."
Prominent Welsh journalist, Nia Thomas, has been presented with the Bob Davies +Memorial Award, an honour awarded annually by the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) during the Royal Welsh Show.
The award commemorates the late Farmers Weekly Wales correspondent, Bob Davies, and recognises an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to raising the public profile of agriculture in Wales.
Born and raised on her family's farm in Llannerch-y-medd, Anglesey, where she still lives today, Nia began her journalism career in 1980 as a trainee reporter with the Herald newspapers, working from the Holyhead Mail office in Llangefni.
She later worked as a freelance journalist for the BBC before joining the corporation's agriculture team in the early 1990s. During this time, she became a familiar face as a reporter on S4C's rural affairs programme Ar y Tir, travelling across Wales to cover the issues that mattered most to farming families and rural communities.
Following the advent of devolution, Nia was appointed BBC Wales Rural Affairs Correspondent in 2000. During one of the most challenging periods for the agricultural industry, she led coverage of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak, the protests surrounding the Hunting Act, and the BSE crisis, earning widespread respect for her authoritative and balanced reporting.
After spending time presenting programmes on BBC Radio Cymru and working in production roles, Nia returned to agricultural journalism in 2024 as a news presenter on S4C's Ffermio. Since then, she has continued to shine a light on many of the sector's most pressing issues, including the Sustainable Farming Scheme, Water Resources Regulations, and the ongoing fight against bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
The award was presented to Nia during the Farmers' Union of Wales President's Reception on Wednesday evening, 22 July, at the Royal Welsh Show.
Presenting the award, FUW President Ian Rickman said: "It is a great pleasure to present the Bob Davies Memorial Award to Nia Thomas. For decades, Nia has been one of the most prominent journalistic voices of rural Wales, reporting with fairness, integrity and professionalism on the challenges facing our farmers and rural communities.
"As someone who comes from a farming background herself, she has a deep understanding of the industry and the people at its heart. She has earned enormous respect for her ability to tell the story honestly and impartially, giving Welsh farmers a voice while never shying away from asking the difficult questions. She is a worthy recipient of this award."
Accepting the award, Nia Thomas said: "It is a tremendous privilege and honour to receive this award. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to interview dozens of remarkable people from across the agricultural industry, and it has been a privilege to help share their stories and perspectives, which remain as important to me today as ever.
"The journalist should never be the focus of the story. At a time when misinformation and misleading content are increasingly prevalent on social media, it is more important than ever that agricultural stories are told with fairness, accuracy and balance."
The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has honoured Elwen Roberts with its External Award for Services to Agriculture at this year's Royal Welsh Show, recognising her outstanding contribution to promoting Welsh farming and the country's red meat industry.
For more than 25 years, Elwen has been one of Wales' foremost ambassadors for Welsh red meat, dedicating her career to educating consumers about the nutritional benefits of locally produced beef and lamb as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Originally from Betws Gwerfil Goch, Elwen began her career with MLC Wales in 1999 before going on to serve as Consumer Executive at Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC). Since then, she has become a familiar face in homes across Wales through thousands of cookery demonstrations, educational workshops, media appearances and live events, inspiring audiences with her passion for Welsh produce.
Her work has reached people of all ages and backgrounds, from pupils in small rural primary schools and teachers to television audiences and visitors at some of Wales' largest agricultural events, including the Royal Welsh Show. Renowned for combining practical cookery skills with clear nutritional advice, Elwen has played a pivotal role in strengthening public understanding and appreciation of Welsh red meat while championing the farmers who produce it.
Presenting the award at the FUW President’s reception, Farmers’ Union of Wales President Ian Rickman said: "Elwen has dedicated her career to championing Welsh agriculture and promoting the exceptional quality of our home-produced red meat.
"Through her enthusiasm, professionalism and ability to engage with people of all ages, she has helped strengthen the connection between consumers and the farmers who produce some of the finest food in the world.
"On behalf of the Farmers' Union of Wales, I am delighted to congratulate Elwen on this thoroughly deserved recognition and thank her for her outstanding contribution to Welsh agriculture."
The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) is calling for an urgent escalation of resources and coordinated government action as the wildfire burning across the Rhinogydd mountains continues to devastate one of Wales' largest and most significant upland landscapes.
The sheer scale of the fire has shocked local communities with the fire now threatening property, livestock, grazing land and internationally important habitats. The fire is also highlighting the increasing challenge of responding to major wildfires in remote rural areas.
The need for urgent action has been highlighted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales to several politicians at the Royal Welsh Show, including representatives from the Welsh Affairs Committee.
FUW President Ian Rickman said: "Our thoughts are with the firefighters, emergency services, local residents and farming families who have been dealing with this fire under incredibly difficult conditions.
"The scale of this wildfire is deeply concerning. The Rhinogydd is not only an internationally important landscape for wildlife, but also a working landscape that supports farming families who have cared for these uplands for generations. The impact of a fire of this magnitude will be felt for years through the loss of grazing, damage to habitats, risks to livestock and will have a knock-on effect on the wider rural economy."
FUW Meirionnydd County Chair, Gwion Rowlands, said the scale of the incident had caused widespread concern throughout the local community.
"The sheer size and duration of this wildfire are unlike anything many people in the area can remember. Our immediate concern is for everyone whose properties, livestock and livelihoods are at risk while the fire continues to burn.
"This is an exceptional incident that requires an exceptional response. Every available resource should be considered to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible.”
