The Farmers' Union of Wales today announced its support in principle of the National Trust's bid to buy an iconic farm in Snowdonia.
Llyndy Isaf, a 614-acre farm in Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert, has been offered for sale to the National Trust by present owner, Ken Owen, who is retiring after farming the land for 35 years.
Mr Owen has given the National Trust a year to raise funds as he believes the organisation is best placed to continue his work and manage the farm sensitively in the future, keeping a balance between farming and conservation and allowing people to have quiet enjoyment of the area.
FUW's Caernarfonshire county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin said: "We welcome the National Trust's plans to invest in the farm and provide an opportunity for a local farmer to earn a living at Llyndy whilst bringing economic and cultural benefits to the community.
"We understand there will also be an offer of part-time work at neighbouring Hafod y Llan which sounds like an ideal package for potential young entrants to the industry.
"This is a unique opportunity to purchase a very special farm that has been very well looked after by the present owner, and if the National Trust is successful in raising sufficient funds we understand they will work with the local liaison committee established 13 years ago by the Trust after it bought the Hafod y Llan farm on Snowdon."