Aled Thomas CMIAgrM

A recently appointed Commended Member of the Institute, Aled comes from a beef and arable farm near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.  Both his parents were Police Detectives and bought the farm in the early 1990's for when they retire.  Starting with just 20 acres they now farm nearly 350 acres in total.

After school he spent a year working on the farm, before going to Harper Adams University. Recently he has joined a farming partnership on the home farm with his father and brother

What are you doing now?

I'm currently in my final couple of weeks at Harper Adams University, having studied a degree in BSc (Hons) Agriculture. If I'm not in a lecture theatre in Shropshire, you'll find me on the home farm helping out, or in a meeting at Wales YFC headquarters in Builth Wells, Powys as I'm currently the Vice-Chairman of the Events and Marketing Committee and a director of Wales YFC.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

​ I hope to be back at home in Pembrokeshire. I would like to expand the arable enterprise much further, and exploit the fact that Pembrokeshire has some of the highest projected wheat yields in the UK!  ​I hope that the farm will also have expanded into different sectors in the industry to ensure that it can remain viable for many generations to come.

What attracted you to the Institute, when did you join and how did you find out about it?

​I felt that being a part of an institute that recognises achievements in the agricultural sector will benefit my career in the industry tremendously.  Although I had previously heard of the institute I was unsure how to join, but finally joined in January 2019 after seeing how easy it was on LinkedIn.

How have you been involved so far and what have been the benefits?

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the National Farm Management Conference in London this year.  It was a really interesting day with some brilliant topics discussed. I can't wait to continue attending the events that the Institute holds.

How do you think membership will help you are you develop your career?

​I think being involved in the Institute will help me by giving me a platform where I can discuss the farming issues of today, share knowledge and make valuable contacts for my career.  It will help me build a wider network in the industry.

What you say to any student/young person considering joining?

​Go for it!  More young people need to join and get involved.  I have enjoyed being a part of the Institute and it would be great to see more ​young people joining and getting involved with the discussions and help shape the industry to meet the challenges we will face.  Membership isn't expensive and it's free for students!