Past and current NFU East officeholders gave candid insights into their involvement at county, regional and national level, including explaining how they represent members and work to influence NFU policy.
The group heard from former West Sussex County Chair Andrew Strong, former Regional Board Chair Alan Clifton-Holt, new Board Chair Caroline Harriott and Regional Livestock Board Chair Hugh Broom during four breakout sessions.
Discussions were based on scenarios dealing with the NFU’s Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign and the recent regional reorganisation.
This session formed part of a two-day trip to West Sussex that also included visits to Ashling Park Estate, Runcton Farm Shop and a tractor and trailer tour of Barfoots with Managing Director Julian Marks and Farm Director Neil Cairns.
During the tour they outlined how Barfoots has grown into being the UK’s largest supplier of sweetcorn, growing the crop both in the UK and on farms including in Spain and Senegal to ensure it is available 52 weeks of the year. Mr Marks called it a ‘relay race following the sun across different countries’.
Essex farmer Ed Ford said: “Over the past two days, the member development programme has been fantastic.
“We’ve had a great tour of a vineyard and two really interesting farm tours. It just opens up your eyes to different farm businesses, as well as a great networking opportunity for the members on
the course.”
Suffolk farmer Olly Pratt said: “There was huge value in the breakout sessions with the officeholders. Hearing their experiences first-hand was an eye opener. It made me realise that these are normal people and farmers who, with the backing of the NFU staff and media team, have become an excellent and effective face of our industry.”
After a pause for harvest, the group’s next activity will be a visit to NFU HQ in Stoneleigh in November.