Begun almost 30 years ago, the Future Farmers of Wales was founded by an enthusiastic former NatWest bank manager, Dai Davies, with the full support of Charles Arch, a very well-known and knowledgeable figure on the Welsh agricultural scene.

The first members were the finalists of the NatWest/ATB Apprentice of the Year competition and was later extended to suitably qualified young people to include award winners from a range of other organisations.

A non-political body of young farmers, the aim has always been to provide a vehicle to discuss and express views, concerns and ideas for the future of farming and the rural community in Wales generally.

The FFW also have a desire to be able to act as a lobbying body answerable to its members, but with proven backgrounds and experience, ready to meet whatever challenges to farming in the future.

Meetings are held three or four times each year and include an open day, significant visits and an AGM/conference, together with a reception at the Royal Welsh Show held within the Aberystwyth University pavilion.

As a whole, the Future Farmers of Wales are a group of proven practical young farmers who have achieved recognition by the farming unions in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and a range of educational organisations in England and Wales.

The current FFW chairman is Carmarthenshire-born Carwyn Rees whose father, Huw, uncle Peter and brother, Alun, farm an autumn calving milking herd of 300 Friesian and Dairy Shorthorns and run a busy caravan site close to Llandovery.

Following his education at local schools, Carwyn successfully studied for degree in rural estate and land management at Harper Adams University in Shropshire - a specialist provider of higher education for the agricultural and rural sector. Now professionally employed as a chartered surveyor at the Haverfordwest office of Edward Perkins & Co, mostly covering mid and north Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, he is a leader and former member of Fishguard YFC.

Other current Future Farmers officials are: president - Professor Wynne Jones, formerly of Harper Adams; vice- chairman - Chris Hanks; secretary - Dr. Nerys Llewelyn Jones; treasurer - David Thomas.

The annual general meeting is being held on Saturday, November 11, at Sychpant, Rhoshill, Cardigan, during a farm visit to Nuffield scholar and IT expert, Tom Allison, who poses the question of why existing high-tech systems designed for the livestock industry are largely underutilised and the barriers to