S4C Ffermio presenter and Carmarthenshire farmer’s daughter Meinir Jones today (Thursday July 24) received the Farmers' Union of Wales Bob Davies Memorial Award after being nominated by farmers in Pembrokeshire impressed by an item she presented on the programme about the impact of bovine TB and the Welsh Government’s current eradication policy.
The award - in memory of Farmers Weekly Wales correspondent Bob Davies, of Welshpool, who died in November 2009 - is offered to a media personality who has raised the public profile of Welsh farming.
Receiving the award - a shepherd's crook specially carved by Aberystwyth stick maker Hywel Evans - from FUW president Emyr Jones, Miss Jones said: “I would like to thank the FUW for considering me a worthy winner of the award.
“Farming and the countryside are very close to my heart as my post with Ffermio goes hand in hand with my interest in working at home on the beef, cattle and sheep family farm of my parents Eifion and Doris and brother Eirian.”
FUW Pembrokeshire county executive officer Rebecca Voyle said: “The issue of bTB and how to eradicate it can be very contentious so members wanted to formally acknowledge the work Meinir and the Ffermio team are doing to highlight the impact the disease has on the industry and to thank her for giving a voice to those who suffer the daily consequences of it.
“In particular, members were extremely impressed by the sympathetic way in which she told the story of how the disease has impacted on Griff Owen and his business and relayed the day-to-day frustrations of farming with the disease.
“Members also praised the way in which she interviewed the then minister Alun Davies and challenged his responses to her questions.”
Meinir was brought up on Maesteilo Farm in Capel Isaac, near Llandeilo, and attended Llanfynydd church school and Ysgol Tre-gib, Llandeilo, where she was head girl.
She graduated from the University of Wales Aberystwyth in 2007 and began working as a researcher for Telesgop in June 2007, and has directed on programmes such as Ffermio and Digwyddiadau since 2009.
Since an early age Meinir has committed to working on the family farm at every given opportunity and now enjoys displaying her own flock of Welsh Balwen sheep at a number of shows throughout the summer.
Llanfynydd Young Farmers Club is another interest that lies very close to her heart and she feels deeply indebted to an organisation that has given her so many unforgettable experiences whilst creating lifelong friendships.
She takes part in a wide cross section of competitions including public speaking, half-hour entertainment, stock-judging and shearing.
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S4C Ffermio presenter and Carmarthenshire farmer’s daughter Meinir Jones today (Thursday July 24) received the Farmers' Union of Wales Bob Davies Memorial Award[/caption]