Dream Farm contest winners aim to 'build a life here together'

The new tenants of a National Trust Cymru farm in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) have been announced after winning the second series of Channel 4’s National Trust: Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker.

- WITH ANDREW FORGRAVE

Ioan Jones and Sara Jenkins, both 28, secured a 15-year tenancy for a 613-acre (248-hectare) hill farm in the foothills of Wales’ highest mountain Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Saturday's final.

The eight-part television series followed seven hopeful applicants with a passion for sustainable farming who presented business plans, discussed their vision for the farm and experienced life on the National Trust Cymru estate by taking part in real-life farming tasks and experiences. Challenges included handling livestock, going to auction, selling produce at a market in Portmeirion, welcoming tourists to the farm's holiday lets and more.

They were observed over a three-week filming period by Giles Hunt, the National Trust's Land and Estates Director, and the National Trust's General Manager for Eryri, Trystan Edwards, who together selected the successful applicant.

Up for grabs was Llyndy Isaf, a nature rich farm comprising lowland fields, woodland and mountain pasture and a four-bedroom farmhouse on the shores of Llyn Dinas. A two-bedroom annex and two bothies for welcoming tourists also form part of the tenancy.

The successful applicants in the competitive selection process, Ioan and partner Sara, both come from Welsh farming backgrounds and entered the process together. Ioan grew up on his parent's beef and sheep farm in Boduan, on the Llŷn Peninsula, while Sara was raised on a family farm at Tal-y-Bont, Ceredigion.