Powys’ County Farms Estate – the largest in Wales - celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The estate which comprises of 163 holdings and covers 11,600 acres will celebrate the anniversary with an open day at two holdings.
The Estate was created when the county council inherited the farms estates of the former shire authorities of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Brecknockshire. The three shire authorities had purchased land in the early 20th century to promote rural regeneration and encourage new entrants into agriculture.
Montgomeryshire County Council built the first smallholding in 1911 having bought farmland under the 1908 Smallholdings Act.
Powys County Council will celebrate the occasion with a public open day at two of their county farms, Pantllwyn, Sarn near Newtown and Llanwen, Knighton on Saturday.
The Sarn open day will be held in the morning starting at 10am and the Knighton event in the afternoon starting at 2pm.
Cabinet Member for Corporate Property, Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones said: “The county farms estate has a rich history and has played an important part in getting young people into farming.
“We are inviting residents to help us celebrate the occasion and visit either a Pantllwyn dairy farm or Llanwen stock farm next month. If anyone has any interesting pictures or information about the history of the estate we would be delighted if they got in touch with the council.”
Although the estate stretches to all parts of the county the majority, nearly 70 per cent, is in the north of the county and includes the famous Victorian Model Farm, at Leighton near Welshpool.
The remaining estate is made up of 163 holdings ranging in size from 2 acre units to over 200 acres, with starter units, intermediate units and larger commercial farm holdings.