Right now, policymakers are in the throes of making decisions which will shape the future of farming, making engaging with MPs on the ground particularly important. There is not one constituency disconnected from agriculture, and no single MP can ignore its future.
To ensure this future is resilient and adapted to the challenges of a changing climate, we’re working closely with nature-friendly farmers from across the country to showcase the value of nature-friendly farming.
NFFN England is working to engage with more MPs, and we need the help of our farmer members, so the voices of nature-friendly farmers are heard. We’re primarily engaging with MPs across the UK through constituency farm visits. These visits are critical because sensory experience is powerful, and we need to show our representatives real examples of the value of nature-friendly farming. Find out more about our Suits to Welly Boots campaign here and get involved here.
Working together
I began working as the NFFN’s MP Engagement Officer in the twilight hour before the new Prime Minister was appointed. I knew it was a tall order to ramp up MP engagement in the crux of changing political tides, but it gave our work an even bigger impetus to ensure commitments remain to support nature-friendly farming.
So far, I have been inspired to see the work NFFN farmers are doing, and I’m humbled by their willingness to contribute their time, effort and passion. The MPs we’ve met have been receptive to our messages and visibly impressed by seeing how food production goes hand-in-hand with working in harmony with the environment, including the far-reaching health, social and economic impacts this way of farming has.
MP engagement will not always be easy, though. Political advocacy takes time, collaboration and perseverance, and we need fellow nature-friendly farmers with us because the NFFN wouldn’t be here without you.
Getting involved
In times of political difficulty, we have a choice: let policy shape the people or mobilise the people to shape policy. The former means we sit idly and take Government policy on the chin. The latter means we work together to speak up on the issues that will influence future generations.
We’re supporting nature-friendly farmers to engage with their local MPs by writing to decision-makers, attending constituency surgeries and hosting politicians on their farms. We provide training and support to ensure every farm story makes a genuine impact and that each farmer feels confident and prepared to engage with a political audience.
For MP engagement, we are looking for farmers who are:
Taking active steps to farm in harmony with nature can demonstrate the real-world value of this to MPs
Up for persevering when plan A doesn’t work out. Some MPs will need more convincing than others, so we need farmers who will continue to attempt engagement when we have to divert to plan B
Above all, you are passionate about what they do and about changing the direction of agriculture for the better
