NFU Cymru : Education is Vital - says Farmers Weekly Columnis

Pictured are guest speaker Ian Pigott; NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Chairman Ian Williams; Justin Long, HSBC; Kate Beavan NFU Cymru Monmouthshire Vice Chair; NFU Cymru County Adviser for Monmouthshire Stella Owen and NFU Cymru Director John Mercer

Ian Pigott, columnist with the Farmers Weekly told NFU CymruMonmouthshire members that 'education and reconnection' are vital when it comes to farming.

Speaking at the latest Monmouthshire County Conference, held at the Three Salmons, Usk, Mr Pigott said that each and every one of us has a job to do to promote the farming industry.

Mr Pigott, who farms in Hertfordshire, also runs a diversified business concentrating on bringing people and schoolchildren closer to farming. He is the founder of Open Farm Sunday and runs his own education charity The Farmschool. He is also a trustee of LEAF.

Mr Pigott said that farming isn't a closed industry and we are all 'very open and transparent' and 'proud of what we produce'. He said that educating children is the key and we need to talk in a language that children today understand and to make farming relevant to them.

He also said that we need to ensure that children know that food is produced by farmers and to make sure they know the work we do to look after the environment. Technology is also important and Mr Pigott believes we need to teach the younger generation about the relevance of farming and technology.

Mr Pigott added that we all have a role to play as citizens of tomorrow to ensure we shape the future and we need to 'keep the romance of agriculture alive'.

John Mercer, NFU Cymru Director also addressed Monmouthshire members on a number of issues concerning the Union's work and priorities, including Brexit, bovine TB and NVZs.

Ian Williams, NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Chairman said: 'I'd like to thank Ian Pigott for making the long journey to Usk to speak with us. He spoke in great detail about his life as a farmer in a very urban area and how education is key to the future success of the agricultural industry. I'm sure we have all taken on board his thoughts and advice and will take this forward by hosting Open Farm Sundays in the county.'

NFU Cymru would like to thank HSBC Bank for sponsoring this year's 11 county conferences across Wales.