Owain Pugh has been appointed as the Farming Connect development officer for North Montgomeryshire.

Owain takes over from well-known local agricultural support officer Gwenan Ellis, who has moved to a new role within Menter a Busnes.

Owain, 29, grew up on the family hill farm in Dinas Mawddwy, where he combines his Farming Connect role with helping his father and two brothers run a flock of mainly Welsh Mountain ewes.

Farming Connect is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

After undertaking a national diploma in agriculture at Coleg Glynllifon, Owain attended Aberystwyth University, graduating with a BSc in agriculture. He then combined helping out at home with working for a local contractor until joining Farming Connect.

A keen member of Dinas Mawddwy YFC, Owain says this has given him a great network of like-minded friends and contacts.

His farming background combined with his academic studies has given him a particular interest in animal health and husbandry as well as grassland management.

A regular attendee at Welshpool mart, Owain is keen to meet farmers and foresters in his area to encourage them to get involved with Farming Connect’s demonstration network, its events programme and support services.

“Gwenan has built up a big network of farming families supported by Farming Connect over a long period of time, so my aim is to build on that, reaching as many farmers as I can to ensure the same level of service and support continues.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online Wednesday