Caws Teifi, a family-run farm and artisan cheese maker based in Llandysul, has received £100,000 funding from NatWest to improve the energy efficiency of Glynhynod Farm.
The business was founded in 1982 and has been producing high quality Welsh cheese for almost four decades.
The family run firm was started by siblings Paula and John, along with John's wife Patrice, who all made the move from Holland to purchase the farm.
The farm is now run by John and Patrice’s sons, Robert and John-James, who have continued the family traditions by using a 500-year-old Gouda recipe to create their cheese.
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As part of the bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable business investment, the funding will enable Caws Teifi to install a large solar array, battery storage and a vehicle EV charging point to help reduce the farm’s utility costs, enhance energy efficiency and boost environmental efforts.
In addition to the eco-conscious installations, the owners also plan to use the funding to make improvements to the farm’s visitor areas to support additional revenue streams, including adding a viewing gallery for guests to get a true picture of the cheesemaking and buttermaking process, from field to fork.
Serving as the longest established artisan cheesemaker in Wales, Caws Teifi blend commercial cheesemaking methods with more traditional techniques.
Looking to the future, the family hopes to continue growing and creating further local employment opportunities.
Robert and John-James are taking forward their parent’s vision, with a programme of events dedicated to education on organic farming, local artisan food and drink and business self-sufficiency.
Rob Savage-Onstwedder, Business Partner and Director at Glynhynod Farm, said: “At Caws Teifi we’re proud of our heritage, as well as understanding the importance of innovation and the need to adapt, this has become a key part of our success and longevity as a business.
“We all have a responsibility to try to improve the way we do things for the good of the planet and for our own local communities.
“NatWest’s commitment to supporting our green initiatives and new business endeavors has been invaluable. Working with a local manager who understands the business, our partners and local community as well as the market has been vital in helping us achieve our growth aims.”
Huw Simpkins, Relationship Manager at NatWest, added: "This funding builds on a relationship of 18 years with the family at Glynhynod Farm and marks a very exciting time for the farms’ future.”