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Farming champion winner Aled Rees with Lucy Morris, head of the commercial and agricultural property team from sponsor Redkite Solicitors[/caption]
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Aled Rees with his wife Hedydd at the Carmarthen Journal Community awards[/caption]
Many farmers will remember the winter of 2013-2014 as one of the most disastrous in recent years and especially those in Somerset who witnessed their land being under water for long periods.
Homes were evacuated, the farming community was in dismay over the relentless bad weather and villages were isolated for months.
The scenes of utter despair as farmers battled the significant cost of having 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) inundated by about 65 million cubic metres of water, struck a chord with Ceredigion farmer Aled Rees.
Mr Rees, who runs a 150-acre organic dairy farm at Trefere Fawr, Penparc Cardigan and also farms a further 700 acres of organic beef, sheep and arable along with the dairy unit, remembered the kindness shown to Welsh hill farmers by Lincolnshire farmer Andrew Ward, who founded Fodder Aid, and launched a system of emergency hay supplies when the snow in Spring 2013 brought sheep farmers to their knees as they faced one of the worst crises in 60 years.
Aled took the leading role to pucker-up support for Somerset farmers in gathering fodder, knowing how vital this sort of help was for the snow struck Welsh hill farmers barely a year earlier.
In recognition of his efforts, Mr Rees was awarded with the coveted Carmarthen Journal Community awards and named as this year’s Farming Champion.
Speaking about his achievements, former FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Caryl Roberts, said: “Aled has been relentless in his efforts to support flood stricken farmers in Somerset and has been at the forefront leading the call for Welsh farmers to donate forage for Somerset farmers.
“He succeeded in uniting farmers, agri business and the general public to help the plight of desperate farmers and thanks to him not only 20 lorry loads of forage were sent in aid but he also raised £1,755 for the cause. I congratulate him whole-heartedly on his award, which could not have gone to a more deserving person.”
Journal editor Emma Bryant said: “It was great to see Aled’s efforts for the farmers in Somerset recognised at our awards. He is the epitome of everything a Farming Champion should be. Huge congratulations to Aled and we really hope he enjoyed his big moment! “