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From left, Meinir Bartlett, Eirios Thomas, Welsh Dairy Show president Islwyn Thomas and Welsh Dairy Show chairman Lynn Davies.[/caption]
Carmarthenshire YFC federation county organiser Eirios Thomas has received the Farmers' Union of Wales-United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society award for the most outstanding contribution to agriculture in the county.
A farmer's daughter from Cwmann, near Lampeter, Mrs Thomas was presented with the award at the recent Welsh Dairy Show dinner.
FUW county executive officer Meinir Bartlett said Mrs Thomas attended Bangor University and commenced her career as a teacher in Clwyd before she was drawn back to her native county.
"She started working for the YFC as Carmarthenshire county organiser in 1977. Since then her love, devotion and commitment to the movement, young people and agriculture has been unfailing.
"Year after year she has created and inspired a full and varied programme of events and competitions to challenge the membership. She regularly visits 24 clubs in the county and earns the respect of all the members. As a result of this she knows them all by name, knows their families and gains the co-operation of the local community.
"Members cease to compete at the age of 26, but she encourages them to remain close to their roots in the countryside.
The County YFC Agriculture Forum was established following her initiative, with seminars, farm walks and courses organised to educate the youth in rural and agricultural issues.
"She has often been described as one who 'lives and breathes' the YFC, because she believes that it gives the youth an opportunity to learn new skills that are not available within the classroom."
Under Mrs Thomas' leadership, the county regularly wins the best overall county at the Royal Welsh Show and the Western Mail Trophy for achievement at Wales level throughout the year.
This year Carmarthenshire YFC was the only county within Wales to increase its membership. With over 800 members Carmarthenshire is regarded as the leading county within the Wales Federation.
Mrs Thomas believes that by encouraging the youngsters they will develop into better farmers, better citizens and better countrymen and, as a result, the agriculture industry and institutions of Carmarthenshire will flourish.