Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many of us - a time to relax, put our feet up, spend time with family and friends, indulge in all of the fabulous food on offer and many homes will be filled with the delightful smells of festive cooking.

Offices and shops across the country are closed and a peaceful serenity engulfs us; fireplaces are crackling, some will argue who gets to put the star on the Christmas tree this year and most will be hoping to wake up to a classic wintery scene.

But if you have a farm to run, how different does that time look? Teleri Fielden, the latest National Trust Llyndy Isaf scholar and former Farmers’ Union of Wales Marketing and Membership manager, is looking forward to her first Christmas at the 614 acre upland farm in Nant Gwynant, nestled in the heart of Snowdonia.

There really is no better place for bonding people together and sharing ideas than over good food - and because the Farmers’ Union of Wales wants to continue to make sure that the voice of Welsh farming is heard at every level, farms across Wales will open their kitchens at the end of January for breakfast week (January 22 - 28).

“Politicians, key stakeholders and the general public need to really understand the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives, so to do just that we will be enjoying some great local produce to kick-start our day as part of our breakfast week campaign.

“But we want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales’ campaign #FarmingMatters, which set out to demonstrate the key role that farming plays in the wider rural economy and showcase the wider social and cultural importance of farming in Wales with the wider aim of convincing the Welsh Government that it is essential to protect Welsh farming from the potential negative impact of Brexit, has been recognised at the UK Public Affairs Awards as the best campaign in Wales.

For the past 18 months the FUW has been busy highlighting why farming matters and when the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016, immediately realised the need to raise awareness of the concerns for farming in Wales, mainly due to Welsh farmers’ strong trading relationship with the EU.

Geography students from Bangor University recently enjoyed a farm tour in Meirionnydd and used the opportunity to discuss #FarmingMatters with the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Opening the gates to her farm Fferm y Llan in Llanfrothen, was FUW Meirionnydd member Olwen Ford. The farm runs from sea level to 500 ft and produces lamb and beef from traditional breeds.

FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy said: “It was really good for the students to see the different fields and learn how the land at sea level is different to that on higher ground. We discussed different policies that impact on farmers in Wales, such as the advantages and disadvantages of agri-environmental policies and the benefits and restrictions of food policy and trade, as well as food provenance, the future of food and environmental policy post-Brexit.”