Aberystwyth University student Emily Smith from Merthyr Mawr has been awarded with the FUW’s Walter Rowlands memorial award.
The award, in memory of FUW county secretary Walter G. Rowlands, who died in service in 1986, is made to an agricultural student resident in Glamorganshire after careful consideration by the Union’s county executive committee.
Not from a farming background, Emily fell in love with the rural lifestyle after moving to the countryside aged 11 and is currently in her final year of reading BSC agriculture with animal science at Aberystwyth University.
She is actively involved in the Agriculture Society at University and has also been elected onto the committee as its secretary.
As part of her university course Emily spent 14 months on a working placement in New Zealand working on a 530 dairy cow farm and now wishes to pursue her interest in the breeding side of dairy farming.
After graduating, she would like to undertake a career with a breeding genetics company as a Reproductive Management Service Technician.
Congratulating Emily on her achievement, FUW Regional Vice President Ian Rickman said: “It is very encouraging to see such enthusiasm from the younger generation towards the agricultural industry and the FUW are keen to continue supporting promising young farmers through this award.
“We wish Emily all the best with her final year of studying and her future career.”
Entries for the next round of the Walter Rowlands memorial award will be invited from Spring 2019 and details will be advertised on the FUW Glamorgan Facebook page.