Builth Wells woman wins 2024 Nuffield Scholarship

Sioned Davies, a barrister from Wernhelog, Llanfaredd, was presented with the award just after the opening ceremony.

Sioned’s expertise in planning and environmental law, alongside her deep-rooted passion for agriculture, made her an ideal candidate for this year’s Nuffield Scholarship.

As a barrister, Sioned has represented a range of stakeholders within the planning and environmental sectors, including agribusinesses, commercial developers, and public bodies. Her professional background has allowed her to address complex regulatory challenges facing agricultural developments, including intensive livestock installations, renewable energy projects, and enforcement issues.

Growing up on her family farm and working within the agricultural law sector, Sioned has a unique perspective on the challenges facing today’s farmers.

This background inspired her Nuffield research project, which will focus on "Scaling Insect Protein Production Using On-Farm Chicken Litter". 

Her innovative approach aims to tackle the pressing pollution issues in the River Wye catchment area by transforming waste from intensive poultry farming into high-quality, sustainable insect protein for animal feed.

This project will see Sioned travel internationally to learn from industry leaders and explore scalable solutions. Her journey includes visits to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, where she will study advanced insect protein production methods and strategies for circular agriculture. Her research promises to offer valuable insights into sustainable farming practices for Welsh agriculture and beyond.

The RWAS congratulated Sioned Davies on her incredible achievement and looks forward to following her journey. The Society remains dedicated to supporting and celebrating innovation in the agricultural sector, and Sioned’s project represents a significant step towards sustainable farming solutions in Wales.