A Tradition Worth Persevering with ; an Essay Competition for the Rwas Centenary Attracted a Strong Entry On the Theme Rural Wales -- Future Threats and Opportunities. Here Are Extracts From the Specially Commended Essay of James Healey , 15

Daily Post › July 29, 2004

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JAMES, now studying for his GCSEs in Builth Wells, has seen major changes in his life and now rural Wales is going through major change too. "These are very difficult times for farming, but I strongly believe that there is a future for agriculture, " he writes. But farmers must change the way they think about their farms and recognise that farming is their business and not just a way of life. "They will have to look at their businesses and cut costs, whilst still producing good quality produce and stock, " he said, adding that a future threat will be the change in agricultural support with farmers receiving payment for the amount of land they have and not the amount of stock they keep. Another major threat is the migration of younger people to the towns and cities.

James, the son of Rob and Jan Healey, who farm 89 acres at Erw'r Henallt, Gwenddwr, near Builth Wells, believes there are many good reasons to farm. He writes: "You can be your own boss -- apart from perhaps the weather, which is always in charge of any farming we try to do. You can work on your farm as part of a family. Anyone who lives on a farm knows that farming is very much a family affair. " James highlights how living in rural areas imbues a strong sense of community. "My friends from town do not even know the names of the people who live more than three doors away, " he states. "I know the names and faces of nearly everyone around me for miles and miles.

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A Tradition Worth Persevering with ; an Essay Competition for the Rwas Centenary Attracted a Strong Entry On the Theme Rural Wales -- Future Threats and Opportunities. Here Are Extracts From the Specially Commended Essay of James Healey , 15

He sees the need for farmers to work togetherbetter, citing as an example how farmers ...

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