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Rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd wants to establish the Vale of Clwyd as a cheese making area like those of Brie and Camembert in France .

The Vale’s top quality pastures are perfect for producing fine cheese, it says, and delicatessen owners want to see specialist homemade local cheeses on their shelves.

Cadwyn Clwyd is sponsoring courses at the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni and is also keen to hear from those interested in other areas of dairy diversification such as butter and ice-cream making.

Andreas Brunzel-Roberts, left, of Leonardo’s Delicatessen, in Ruthin, and Cadwyn Clwyd's Robert Price are both supporting the call for more local dairy products. Call 01824 705802 or email robert.price@cadwynclwyd.co.uk to enrol on courses.

More farmers are needed to take on the growing number of apprentices who want to work and learn on UK farms. From 6 to 10 February is National Apprenticeship Week which aims to raise awareness of the opportunities for both employer and apprentice.

Given the widespread need to recruit more young people into farming careers, this route must be worth considering but many don’t know where to start. The best place is LANTRA’s website, which has clear and useful information about what’s involved and links to http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

There is support for both parties through local colleges and local LANTRA groups, while the training element is Government funded. Apprentices aged between 16 and 18 have a minimum wage rate of £2.60 an hour but many employers pay more, says LANTRA.

Eighty percent of those who employ apprentices think they make their workplace more productive and an even higher percentage think apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.