Meuric Rees said the honour was unexpected

Meuric Rees, 83, of Tywyn, the first chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in Wales, said he was emotional when he heard of the honour.

The fact his wife Margaret could not share the event with him made it especially poignant, he added.

His other jobs have also included Royal Welsh Show chairman and president.

"I was a bit shocked and emotional when I heard because it was something I did not expect," he said.

We are an extremely close family and my daughters have been especially supportive since my wife died Meuric Rees

"My wife is no longer with me to share the event either, as I recently lost her, so it made the whole thing more poignant," he added.

Mr Rees said his life had been "interesting, full and happy" both within agriculture and the community where he lived.

"I first got involved by joining the Urdd while I was at school and have many fond memories of competing in the eisteddfod and sporting events.

"Then when a Young Farmers' club was set up at Bryncrug in 1945 it really opened my eyes to the possibilities outside the farm gate," he said.

Eight grandchildren

Twenty years later Mr Rees was the Young Farmers' president and he had moved on to involvement in the NFU, both in Wales and the UK as a whole.

"It was difficult at times because I was also trying to run the farm, have a home life, and was trying to improve the land.

"I just did the best I could, but it wasn't always easy, although I did have men who helped me, which was extremely appreciated," he said.

Mr Rees has three daughters, Morfudd Meredith, Helen Bailey and Bethan Evans, along with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"We are an extremely close family and my daughters have been especially supportive since my wife died," he added.

Mr Rees is already a CBE, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and was awarded an MSc by the University of Wales in 1998.

He expects to travel to London to receive his knighthood in the coming months.