Mary studied Liberal Arts at the University of Bristol, specialising in agricultural and environmental studies in her final year. Her dissertation was based on industrial agriculture and its associated issues of connectivity to land, food and communities. She then went on to work in political research, working with MPs to deliver written responses to national campaigns and constituent correspondence.

While in this position, she undertook research related to DEFRA, with a focus on agriculture. Her interest in nature-friendly farming piqued during the first lockdown when she became more aware of the resilience of local food systems in times of global crisis. From there, the interconnectedness of food, climate and social security became clear. Nature-friendly farming will play a critical role in alleviating a multitude of national and global issues; as such, Mary’s aim at the NFFN is to demonstrate this to MPs and decision-makers and influence them to act on it now.