by Llinos Angharad Owen, Tir Dewi and FUW member
There is so much talk these days about the word "diversification" but what does that really mean? Well, it broadens experiences or it means changing from doing one thing to doing something completely different. This is exactly what I did two years ago and completely changed direction from education to agriculture.
I was in education for over twenty years as a teacher, Assistant Headteacher and then Head in Charge at a secondary school in Gwynedd. Then followed a period of working as a Children in Care Education Officer with Conwy Council, and then really deciding that I wanted to help on our family farm and diversify the business. We now have two holiday homes that offer a bilingual service and we educate our visitors about our history and culture here in rural Snowdonia. We, along with a group of friends, have also set up an international shears competition, "Cneifio Gelert" which is going from strength to strength.
Working at home on the farm with my husband Gareth in the heart of the Snowdonia countryside has been an eye opener for me in terms of not only the farming industry, but also the farming community. The pressure, paperwork and endless changes all come with their own challenges. During the past year we have all faced very unexpected challenges in our lives as a result of the pandemic. We have all had to adjust our daily lives and some of us are feeling more isolated than ever before.
What help is out there for farmers and their families? Many excellent organisations and charities support farmers and their families, one being Tir Dewi. Since January 2022 I have been appointed as Promotion and Fundraising Officer with the charity. My role is to promote and raise awareness of the charity in North Wales.
Asking for help can sometimes be the hardest part of getting help but once you've made that first step your story can be someone else's hope. Tir Dewi is there to help and support farmers and their families. Sharing, talking and listening make us all feel better.
Visit our website www.tirdewi.co.uk or contact me at