AN ABERAERON farm shop and kitchen have been presented with a national rural business award.

The Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Kitchen have won the Best Rural Diversification Project category at this year’s Rural Business Awards.

The award, sponsored by leading property consultancy Fisher German, recognises rural businesses that have gone above and beyond to offer something different to bring in more customers.

The farm shop and kitchen is based within Bargoed Farm, owned by Chris and Geraint Thomas.

The couple moved to the derelict farm in 2010 after previously diversifying their cattle farm in the Brecon Beacons, but then losing everything due to legal issues.

They completely transformed the site before opening Bargoed Farm Campsite in 2018 and using wooden hot tubs as a unique way to bring in customers.

Chris and Geraint, who have five children, then launched The Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Kitchen, serving up a wide range of wholesome Welsh dishes created using local ingredients.

Chris said that farm diversification is essential when looking to build a successful business in the sector, and now uses social media to provide an honest insight into farm life.

She said: “My husband’s family has been farming in Wales for more than 1,000 years, so it’s a real legacy for us.

“We unfortunately lost our farm in the Brecon Beacons after receiving some poor legal advice. We lost everything and really hit rock bottom, but we had the determination to make things happen.”