The legacy of the small mixed farm that was once the backbone of agriculture in Wales lives on in the smallholder movement, said Dr Fred Slater, Director of the Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival, which opens on May 17 for two days at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

Referring to the rare breeds of livestock that will be on view at the Festival, Dr Slater said they were a priceless genetic resource which could not be recovered once lost, and with climate change and the threat of new diseases, who knew when it might be necessary to call upon the characteristics of some of the old breeds to underpin the future.

Among its many and varied attractions the Festival will feature a Green Horizons Exhibition.

"Growing our own food of whatever sort, or sourcing it locally, saves "food miles" and if we harvest our own energy from wind, sun, soil or water and grow it as renewable biomass crops, we are already following the route map for energy which the Welsh Assembly Government has recently produced," Dr Slater said.

As well as the Green Horizon Exhibition and displays of conventional and unusual livestock, this year's Festival will have something to interest every visitor who has a love of the countryside including Floral and Food Halls, vintage machinery, auctions, an open dog show with more than 1000 entries and ongoing entertainment throughout the weekend.