THE Maesmawr Group was selected as one of the top Social Enterprises in Powys in the county’s prestigious Business Awards.
The farmer-led collaboration was chosen as one of the top three innovative community groups in Wales’ largest county. Judges said the Group’s formation and activities could be held as an exemplar for roll-out throughout Wales and praised the foresight in tackling, from grassroots level upwards, the key challenges faced in rural areas, such as climate change challenges like biodiversity loss, flooding and drought as well as rural deprivation and health.
The Group have planted thousands of trees and hedging plants, created better access to bridleways and footpaths, supported education links and taken action to ensure cleaner water in our streams and rivers for current and future generations.
Chair of the People and Nature project Steering Group Rowan Jones, whose family farms near Llanidloes, says: “The nomination is a great honour as Group began its project activities just two years ago and has been able to support its farmers and partner organisations to develop a long-term, holistic and sustainable landscape-scale plan. This aims to develop resilient ecological and socio-economic networks for healthy ecosystems and communities. We are exploring ways of dealing with problems in the countryside and our villages and towns, using science and knowledge transfer to change perceptions and behaviours, identify opportunities and capacity to diversify and farm more sustainably”.
He adds: “We are restoring and managing our natural habitats to improve carbon storage, water quality, drainage as well as to improve recreational, business and community benefits. We have started knowledge transfer amongst farmers and other members of the community and developed input to schools as well as initiated liaison with academic and industry experts”.
Powys Business Awards, with awards ceremony annually in October, are organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group and the Social Enterprise category was sponsored by Myrick Training Services.
