About Us

Welcome To the Dyfed Smallholders Association

Founded in 1986 we are one of the oldest smallholder groups in the UK, our membership covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and even further afield. People often assume that to join a Smallholders’ Society you have to be a knowledgeable, fully-functioning smallholder keeping a variety of different animals and be in possession of all the latest machinery and clothing to match. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Dyfed Smallholders Association is for anyone who is interested in the countryside; whether you’ve got 200 acres or a window box for salad there is lots that might interest you, see our  ‘A-Z Gallery’ page.

Some of the benefits of membership are:
♦  A chance to meet people who are interested in the same things as you are
♦  Our monthly newsletter
♦  Regular meetings featuring guest speakers
♦  Hosted events such as our summer farm visits
♦  Access to our loan equipment
♦  Support from other Smallholders or Smallholding Mentors
♦  Classified Ads

From September to May we meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm at Bancyfelin Village Hall. Usually there is a speaker on a subject that is generally related to smallholding, livestock, or crafts. These are a fantastic opportunity to meet other like-minded people for tips, information and for a chat. Admission to the meetings is free for members or £2 for non-members.

New Members can attend their first WINTER (Nov to March) talk for free, to see who we are and what we are all about.

Details of forthcoming meetings can be found on the Whats On page.

During the summer months we run a programme of farm visits and training events usually on a members holding.

Every year, we run a busy schedule of social events. These include specially arranged visits to sites and farm walks across our area. Other popular events are our Summer BBQ’s, Christmas gathering and New Year lunch.

If this sounds like it’s for you, please see the benefits of joining the Association.

Whats On

We are now at our new permanent base at Bancyfelin Village Hall for our Autumn/Winter meetings on the second Wednesday of each month from September through to May.

The schedule for 2024 is currently being put together, but the next scheduled events for the start of 2024 are as follows:

  • 10th March – Skin Tanning by Welsh Organic Tannery.   Everything you need to know about the tanning process including selling your skins
  • 10th April – An exciting talk of all things butchery. Field to Fork will be presenting a talk on butchery
  • 21st April – A practical Goat Keeping Day (Visit and learn all about goat keeping and maintenance)
  • 8th May – Horses on the Farm – Bancyfelin.
  • May (TBA) – Farm Visit to see working horses on a farm
  • 1st/2nd June Tractor Maintenance – basics, nipple greasing, air filter changes. Implements, fitting of, etc.
  • 15th/16th Tractor Driving practical training event
  • 10 July – DSA annual BBQ
  • July (TBC) – Simple self sufficiency
  • August (TBC): Preserving Techniques.
  • August (TBC): Advanced Fencing (Fencing on a slope) – and other manual techniques
  • Late Autumn (TBC) : Haymaking practical
  • Late Autumn (TBC) : Everything Polytunnel – building one, getting rid of grass, soil, paths, irrigation, cleaning, repair and growing things
 
 

More events will be announced soon

More events are added all the time, so please re-visit or become a member to be kept up to date on the latest events as they are scheduled

 

Details of these events will be available to members through our monthly newsletter.