Visit any hill farm across the county and no doubt you will find a story attached to it that reaches back hundred of years.
One of the most traditional ways of farming, there is a certain rawness to the upland communities; many are tied to the land and the rugged beauty of the landscape which they know intrinsically.
WATCH NOW:
With some controversy over the future, the next generation of hill farmers have a task on their hands to showcase the value of this way of life, but it is one that Katie Davies is ready for.
Farming in partnership with her father and husband, Katie, 35, is proud of the history attached to Nantymoel Farm, which sits in the Ogmore Valley in South Wales.
"I am the fourth generation," says katie.
"My great grandfather Major Stanely Evan Pugh rented the farm in the 1930s and ran 770 ewes plus 300 wethers to keep the boundaries, and 12 milkers.
"A shepherd ran the farm post-World War II as my great grandfather was a civil engineer and helped to rebuild many parts of London."
The family then purchased the farm from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Forestry Commission and now runs 1,100 breeding ewes. Most are South Wales Mountain sheep which are indigenous to the area, with female lines dating back centuries.
READ NOW: Fourth generation Yorkshire young farmer hopes to continue hill farm legacy
The farm extends to 600 hectares (1,500 acres), reaching to 563 metres (1,850 feet) at its highest point, with views spanning out across the valley for miles.
They also run some South Country Cheviots and 40 suckler cows.
They are keen to source the best genetics for their pure Stabiliser cattle, so the cows ‘can thrive and perform in the harsh landscape'.
There is uncertainty, though, with the change in subsidies and a rising cost of production – being resilient, says Katie, is key to being able to adapt to the ever-evolving policies and incentives.
The weather has also taken its toll this year.
She says: "In the blink of an eye, what seems like heaven can change.
"Mother Nature can be cruel, and you must adjust farming practices on a daily basis."
Showcasing the value of hill farms is something she is passionate about – all you need to do is look around Nantymoel to see how nature is thriving here.
Farmers are, she says, part of the environmental solution, but that disconnect is an ongoing battle.
"We are under constant scrutiny and criticism and told that farming is bad for the environment," she says.
"Our farm has an array of flora and fauna and high value habitats – the bees, bugs and wildlife tell a story in itself; that this way of farming is part and parcel of sustaining the environment we live in.
"Hill farmers have been guardians of some of our most valuable ecological resources and landscapes for centuries and play an intrinsic part in protecting and enhancing environment.
"Despite this, their existence hangs in the balance."
Katie, however, is someone you would certainly want to represent the sector. She is forward-thinking and not willing to sit still.
Last year she was named as Wales Woman Farmer of the Year wit NFU Cymru, with judges noting her business acumen, such as the development of her meat box scheme and her dedication to balancing production with nature and championing her heritage – her participation in the Glastir scheme has allowed her to invest in rebuilding dry stone walls and sheepfolds.
She says: "Winning Wales Woman Farmer on the Year was a real honour. There was a great sense of pride in both raising the profile of women in farming and being recognised for my passion and contributions to safeguarding the future of farming in Wales. It has never occurred to me that I would not farm being a woman. The most important thing for us as an industry is that we have the best people for the job."
But in order to drive the future of hill farming forwards she believes education is of great importance, for the public and within the industry – her other role as a lecturer at Bridgend College.
Sustainability and efficiency will, she says, play a ‘crucial role in upland farming and providing public goods' while holding onto to what is at the core of many hill farms: a cultural bond.
"Education is the cornerstone for sustainable food production and the preserve of our rural communities," says Katie.
"The future can be promising but it requires a commitment to change; we must embrace technology and innovation, but we must also hold on to the traditions which have moulded this landscape into what it is today.
"Heritage and tradition are integral to the existence of farming and I want to contribute to its future."
Welsh farming has seen its fair share of change over recent years, and despite the challenges, Katie would not want to be anywhere else.
The responsibility for the land and the influence she and her family can have on it is motivation enough.
She says: "I have a deep feeling of belonging to the land; I am as hefted to the farm as my flock is.
"I feel a great responsibility and hope to pass this onto the next generation as my father did to me."
