RURAL Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has visited a farm in Denbighshire to see how they are benefiting from Farming Connect, a Welsh Government initiative.

Farming Connect is an enhanced programme that provides support to help transform the business prospects of thousands of farmers and foresters across Wales, as well as helping to introduce farming to school children.

The Minister heard how support is helping the farm in Llandegla improve their business and remain competitive.

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At Plas yn Iâl farm in Llandegla, farmer Huw Beech explained to the Minister the agri-environment work taking place on the farm to improve their overall woodland management.

This includes assessing the history and condition of the woodland where the majority of the trees were planted during the 1800s and 1900s, but left unmanaged for 65 years.

The project Mr Beech has embarked on aims to integrate income generation whilst improving and enhancing environmental and biodiversity benefits by increasing the capital value of the woodland on the farm and providing multiple benefits in a cost-effective way.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “As a government, we are committed to maintaining and developing a thriving and sustainable agricultural sector in Wales and the work being done by Cheryl and Huw are a prime example of what can be achieved.

“Recently, I announced £227m to support Wales’ rural economy towards a greener and more sustainable future.

“Farming Connect is an important factor in helping us reach our goals and I am proud of the programme’s achievements, providing valuable training courses for more than 6,000 beneficiaries. It’s clear the support is valued by our agriculture sector.

“In light of the ongoing challenges faced by the industry we confirmed an extension to Farming Connect through to March 2023. We are developing proposals for a replacement Programme to ensure there is no gap in provision.”

Huw Beech said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing here at Plas yn Iâl farm which will benefit the business as well as the environment.

“Farming Connect is playing an important role in what we’re aiming to achieve, and I want to thank them for their continued support.

“I was really pleased to welcome Lesley Griffiths to the farm, explain the work taking place and to discuss the benefits of being part of the Farming Connect Demonstration Network which enabled us to run a project looking into Continuous Cover Forestry.”