Martin is a farmer and contractor in South Cambridgeshire, growing mainly arable crops on his family farm and rented land. He has a special interest in farm conservation management, currently running an ELS and HLS agreement and has Countryside Stewardship schemes on land he rents and manages. He also supports the delivery of Stewardship schemes for a number of other farmers. Martin is the NFFN UK Steering Group Chair and hopes to see the network grow with like-minded farmers and land managers who will work together, sharing best practices and demonstrating what can be accomplished for nature and the environment while producing great produce.
Phil is an experienced land use policy professional, with nearly a decade's experience in a range of areas including agricultural advice, conservation land management and sustainable land use policy. He is passionate about finding solutions to complex land use problems from policy development through to practical delivery. Phil hopes to increase the Network’s influence on land use policy decisions across the UK, to ensure they work for both farmers and the environment.
From growing up on the family tenanted farm, Alison has dedicated her 35 + years career to the farming industry. She specialised in running a farmer-led training group, qualified as a trainer and facilitator, and worked the National Trust as their National Skills and Training adviser. As a consultant she has focused on sustainable, nature and conservation-based projects developing bespoke programmes for clients across the UK and delivering supporting advice. She Is a member of TRIG (Tenancy Reform Industry Group) and the DEFRA Agricultural Productivity Task Force subgroup for business models. She is also a member of the EU Focus Group on New Entrants and has just completed her role as Network facilitator in the UK for the European Newbie Project via the James Hutton Institute. In her spare time, she is a Derbyshire County Co-Ordinator for Farming Community Network.
Kirsty is an experienced urban and rural community practice developer and enjoys supporting action on the ground and shaping policy based on real life experiences. She has had an interest in the connection and relationship between people, land and nature for many years stemming from her upbringing on a tenant farm in Perthshire. She has previously worked for the Scottish Land Commission as their Good Practice Adviser, implementing Scotland’s Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement (LRRS). Carnegie UK Trust, delivering their rural community development programme and community land ownership support and the land-based community charity, the Ecology Centre in Fife.
Alena has worked as a communications and media specialist, including as a writer in sustainability and environmental advocacy. She has previously worked with charities and social enterprises driving positive change through press, social media and communications campaigns. Alena hopes to amplify the NFFN’s voice and the ever-growing benefits nature-friendly farming can bring to people, food and our environment.