I am currently the Secretary for the Harper Adams Cymru Society for 2023/24. Since starting university, Harper Cymru has been a home away from home, and I have made friendships to last a lifetime. Harper Cymru is a great bunch of people from all corners of Wales, who socialise and attend events, such as a recent careers event, and the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, to develop our knowledge and network of people. I have recently designed merchandise for the year which will be seen about soon. We are also currently planning the annual Harper Cymru dinner which will be held in the summer, to celebrate the year of activities and achievements of our society.
Ever since I can remember, I have always loved farm life, and look forward to going home to help on weekends and during the holidays. At home we have a finishing system where we fatten store lambs and cattle, so we have a very busy winter routine. We have also diversified into holiday cottages and commercial lettings. It’s nice to work as a close-knit family team to get jobs done.
Since studying my A-levels throughout the covid pandemic and taking part in Farming Connect’s Junior Agri Academy in 2020, I found a real interest in the agricultural supply chain from field to fork, which cemented which area of the broad-ranging agricultural sector I wanted to study. The Agri Academy really made clear my passion for wanting the British agricultural industry to flourish, something I want to take with me as I start my placement and graduate career. Having been born and brought-up with Welsh farming surrounding me, it was a natural interest of mine.
Over the course of the 2023 summer holidays, I did work experience with ‘Llaeth Y Llan’ village dairy, based in North Wales. During my time there, I learnt a huge amount about the marketing, business growth analysis, manufacturing, and retailer-relations of the business. This was incredibly insightful, and it was really beneficial to gain first-hand experience of the happenings of a large Welsh brand who want to support the Welsh dairy industry. To be given the opportunity to shadow in real corporate meetings and discussions was amazing, and something I am very thankful to have been able to do.
Aside from my studies, I am an active member of Raglan Young Farmers club, where I enjoy competing in competitions such as stock judging, cookery, and public speaking. Cookery has always been a great passion of mine, from learning to cook with three generations of women in my family. I recently competed at the Malvern National YFC Cookery finals where we were placed in the top ten teams in England and Wales. It is always a great privilege to represent my county and the local food Monmouthshire produces.
I have recently arranged my placement role for the forthcoming year, where I will be working for Müller as the Commercial Private Label Intern on the national accounts executive team. From understanding the supply chain of the dairy industry through to negotiating with large retailers on their own-brand products, I am really looking forward to the great array of opportunities I will have next year. It doesn’t feel long ago that I was starting my second year of university, but I am really looking forward to the challenge of working for a large brand and getting the most out of the time I am there.
