Farming Connect has now added 12 new farms from across Wales to its Our Farms network, including five in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire,.

With the help of Welsh Government funding, on-farm trials and projects focusing on innovation and new technologies will be carried out at these farms over the next year, covering sectors including red meat, dairy, woodland, and horticulture.

One of the farms recruited to the network is Pencedni Farm, Glandŵr, Pembrokeshire, a smallholding managed by Tom Clare and Jacqui Banks that integrates trees into its pasture-based system, reflecting a growing interest in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. They would like to further develop the ecological understanding and practical application of agroforestry principles on their farm.

Laura Simpson from Parc y Dderwen, Llangolman, Pembrokeshire would like to investigate the establishment of perennial horticulture crops to seek out alternative routes for business diversification. She’s hoping to monitor and report on ground cultivation, planting, establishment, weeding, and pest management throughout the season, including perennial bed overwintering for next year’s healthy crop.

The other local farmers added to the network are Andrew Rees, Moor Farm, Rhosson, Pembrokeshire (Dairy); Jonathan Evans, Berry Hill, Newport, Pembrokeshire (Dairy); and Michael James, Nant Yr Hebog, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire (Dairy).

Another farm added to the Our Farms Network is Pengelli Isaf, Caernarfon run by Tudur Parry. Energy and electricity are a major cost to the business like any other dairy farming business. Tudur is hoping to explore cost-effective energy alternatives, by performing a feasibility study on renewable electricity production, calculating the return on investment and payback period to offset bank interest expenses.

These farmers are joined by Aled Wyn Evans, Fferm Penllyn, Tywyn, Meirionnydd (Red Meat); Leonard Griffith Swain, Ty’n Yr Onnen, Waunfawr, Gwynedd (Woodland); Rhodri Jones, Pen y Parc, Llanerfyl, Montgomeryshire (Dairy); Jonathan Lewis, Carneddau, Builth Wells, Brecknock (Red Meat); Peter and Jacob Anthony, Cwmrisca Farm, Ton-du, Bridgend; and Caryl Hughes, Tuhwntir Afon, Llanarmon, Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Through Farming Connect’s Our Farms network, and with support from sector-specific industry experts, farmers have been driving improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and profitability since 2015.

Siwan Howatson, Head of Technical at Farming Connect, says, “The network provides a fantastic platform for practical, on-farm innovation, driven by the farmers themselves. The diverse range of projects, from regenerative practices and renewable energy to animal health and diversification into horticulture and agroforestry, truly reflects the commitment within the Welsh agricultural sector to embrace new technologies and sustainable approaches for a resilient and profitable future.”