As an NFU and NFU Cymru member, you have the chance to make a real difference for British farming and ensure your voice – and the voice of the industry – is heard on the issues that matter.
You can contribute regionally, nationally or within a specific farming or growing sector.
And we will support you every step of the way.
Contents
As an NFU and NFU Cymru member, you have the chance to make a real difference for British farming and ensure your voice – and the voice of the industry – is heard on the issues that matter.
You can contribute regionally, nationally or within a specific farming or growing sector.
And we will support you every step of the way.
Contents
How you can make a difference
Our members are at the heart of everything we do
We are our members
Getting involved with the NFU gives you the opportunity to have real influence on the agricultural sector.
It also means you will contribute to NFU policy development.
You will meet other farmers and growers across our regional and national network, and have opportunities to develop your leadership skills.
There are different ways you can get involved. You might be interested in regional or cross-sector issues.
Or, you might want to be involved at a sector-specific level.
Our members at the heart of everything we do
We are our members
Getting involved with the NFU gives you the opportunity to have real influence on the agricultural sector.
It also means you will contribute to NFU policy development.
You will meet other farmers and growers across our regional and national network, and have opportunities to develop your leadership skills.
There are different ways you can get involved. You might be interested in regional or cross-sector issues.
Or, you might want to be involved at a sector-specific level.
How you can get involved
Get involved at a local level
Come to an NFU Cymru or regional event
From social events, to sector and issue-led sessions, our county teams run events throughout the year with other farmers and growers in your area. You don’t have to be a member to come along.
Find out what’s on by visiting NFU Cymru or our regional pages and follow us on social media (Twitter / X – @NFUCymru, @nfueast, @nfunorth, @nfusouth, @nfumidlands.)
Join a community
Our online NFU communities give members the space to connect, have their say through polls and short surveys, and join in with wider consultations too.
They’re a great first step in getting involved, as you can comment on NFU updates and catch up with the latest resources and events.
Come to a branch meeting
In many areas regular branch meetings are run by our Group Secretary network. Meetings bring together local members to update on current NFU activities, discuss local issues and hear from issue-led speakers. Each branch meeting is chaired by an elected Chair.
Come to a county meeting
Each county across England and Wales has a county meeting supported by your County Adviser.
These meetings give you the opportunity to get to know other farmers and growers, discuss local issues, hear from speakers and discuss topical NFU policy areas.
These meetings are open to all members. Each county has an elected Chair and a Council Representative, who sit on NFU Council, providing the opportunity to represent their county and contribute to strategic decisions made at the highest level of the NFU.
Making a difference in your area
Our County Chairs and representatives come together at Regional Board meetings, which focus on how the region is running, priority issues for the region, and cross-cutting policy discussion.
Being a member of your Regional Board provides a greater opportunity to help shape the future of the industry across your region. Each Regional Board elects a Chair who sits on NFU Council and is eligible to be elected onto the Governance Board.
Shaping your sector’s future
Our county commodity representatives come together at Regional Commodity Board meetings. These meetings play a pivotal role in steering the region’s direction, prioritising issues for the sector in the region, and discussing sector-specific policy.
By joining your Regional Commodity Board you can actively contribute to shaping the industry’s future. Regional Commodity Boards elect a Chair who represents the board on the Regional Board (not commodity specific) and National Commodity Board.
Making a difference at a national level
The County Chair and Council Representative from each county have the opportunity to sit on NFU Council, the NFU’s governing body, influencing decision-making at the highest level in the organisation.
Chairs from each Regional Commodity Board come together to discuss sector-specific policy at a national level.
Each National Commodity Board elects a chair who is the lead representative of the sector across the NFU’s activity. They sit on NFU Council and the Food, Farming and Environment Board, and are eligible to be elected onto the Governance Board.
Are you a future leader?
All of our national officeholders began their journey by serving on one of our boards before being elected as a leader of the NFU, representing our 45,000 members.
If you are ready to take that first step to becoming a future industry leader, the NFU is here to support you on that journey.
Get involved at local level
Come to an NFU Cymru or regional event
From social events, to sector and issue-led sessions, our county teams run events throughout the year with other farmers and growers in your area. You don’t have to be a member to come along.
Find out what’s on by visiting NFU Cymru or our regional pages and follow us on social media (Twitter / X – @NFUCymru, @nfueast, @nfunorth, @nfusouth, @nfumidlands.)
Join a community
Our online NFU communities give members the space to connect, have their say through polls and short surveys, and join in with wider consultations too.
They’re a great first step in getting involved, as you can comment on NFU updates and catch up with the latest resources and events.
Come to a branch meeting
In many areas regular branch meetings are run by our Group Secretary network. Meetings bring together local members to update on current NFU activities, discuss local issues and hear from issue-led speakers. Each branch meeting is chaired by an elected Chair.
Come to a county meeting
Each county across England and Wales has a county meeting supported by your County Adviser.
These meetings give you the opportunity to get to know other farmers and growers, discuss local issues, hear from speakers and discuss topical NFU policy areas.
These meetings are open to all members. Each county has an elected Chair and a Council Representative, who sit on NFU Council, providing the opportunity to represent their county and contribute to strategic decisions made at the highest level of the NFU.
Making a difference in your area
Our County Chairs and representatives come together at Regional Board meetings, which focus on how the region is running, priority issues for the region, and cross-cutting policy discussion.
Being a member of your Regional Board provides a greater opportunity to help shape the future of the industry across your region. Each Regional Board elects a Chair who sits on NFU Council and is eligible to be elected onto the Governance Board.
Shaping your sector’s future
Our county commodity representatives come together at Regional Commodity Board meetings. These meetings play a pivotal role in steering the region’s direction, prioritising issues for the sector in the region, and discussing sector-specific policy.
By joining your Regional Commodity Board you can actively contribute to shaping the industry’s future. Regional Commodity Boards elect a Chair who represents the board on the Regional Board (not commodity specific) and National Commodity Board.
Making a difference at a national level
The County Chair and Council Representative from each county have the opportunity to sit on NFU Council, the NFU’s governing body, influencing decision-making at the highest level in the organisation.
Chairs from each Regional Commodity Board come together to discuss sector-specific policy at a national level.
Each National Commodity Board elects a Chair who is the lead representative of the sector across the NFU’s activity. They sit on NFU Council and the Food, Farming and Environment Board, and are eligible to be elected onto the Governance Board.
Are you a future leader?
All of our national officeholders began their journey by serving on one of our boards before being elected as a leader of the NFU, representing our 45,000 members.
If you are ready to take that first step to becoming a future industry leader, the NFU is here to support you on that journey.
Join our development programmes
Develop new skills, connect with others and be inspired
NFU Poultry Industry Programme
The NFU Poultry Industry Programme develops the skills and knowledge of young people in the poultry sector and helps them meet other young people, gain market and supply chain insights, and learn new skills.
Sugar Industry Programme
The Sugar Industry Programme, run jointly by NFU Sugar and British Sugar, provides an opportunity for sugar beet growers and industry professionals to learn more about the sugar industry.
Cereals Development Programme
The Cereals Development Programme is aimed at NFU members aged between 25 and 35 in the combinable crops sector who are looking to improve their understanding of how the industry works and how they can get the most from it.
Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme
The Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme is a year-long series of events designed to give NFU Student & Young Farmer members aged 30 and under the opportunity to impact the future of the agricultural industry.
Farmers for Schools programme
Our Farmers for Schools programme offers NFU members training so they can go into schools and deliver a 30 to 45-minute assembly about day-to-day life on their farm. It's the perfect chance to showcase British farming, correct myths and answer questions from students.
NFU Cymru's Next Generation Group
NFU Cymru welcomes a new group of young Welsh farmers to represent the industry every two years. The group is set up to encourage younger members of the farming community to have their say on the future of Welsh farming.
Hear from our members
Find out what our members love about their roles with the NFU
NFU South Regional Board Chair Robyn Munt
After being asked to comment on some policy papers and going to a few meetings, Robyn found that she was being called on to answer more questions.
She was given the opportunity to lead at a local level and has never looked back.
In February 2024 she was elected Chair of the NFU South Regional Board.
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
The first time Rachel got involved with the NFU was when she went to a ‘farm kitchen table’, and learned what the NFU did for farmers.
Rachel ended up attending more meetings, which led to her becoming a Branch Chair.
She pursued her passion and eventually secured a seat on the North East Livestock Board.
In February 2024 Rachel was elected NFU Vice President.
NFU North Regional Board Chair William Maughan
Beef, arable and poultry farmer, William Maughan, farms near Darlington in County Durham. There’s been a family connection with the NFU for years, so he had always understood the benefits and the depth of work being undertaken by the NFU.
William says it’s a great opportunity to network and share experiences.
What now? Taking your next step
NFU Cymru and regions
Our Cymru and English regional colleagues would love to hear from you.
- NFU Cymru – email nfu.cymru@nfu.org.uk
- NFU East – email nfu_east@nfu.org.uk
- NFU Midlands – email nfu_midlands@nfu.org.uk
- NFU North – email nfu_north@nfu.org.uk
- NFU South – email nfu_south@nfu.org.uk
What’s happening in your area? Visit our regional pages.
Other ways to get involved
Whether you are a member yet or not, we would love to see you at one of our Cymru or regional events.
- NFU Cymru events
- NFU National events
- NFU East events
- NFU North events
- NFU South events
- NFU Midlands events
NFU members can join NFU community and take part in polls and surveys and share what they know.
NFU CallFirst
Our CallFirst colleagues are on hand to take your call.
- Contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
- Or email CallFirst@nfu.org.uk.
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