Ali Parker
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTY ADVISERAli joined the NFU as Herefordshire county adviser in May 2022. In this role she works with members and stakeholders regionally and nationally to help address key issues affecting farmers across the county.
As part of the role, Ali works with the NFU head office and regional team, and our members, to deliver the NFU's policy and lobbying work at a local level. This includes working with groups such as local authorities and public bodies to help our farming community move forwards.
In her role, public engagement is fundamental to reach out to the general public, particularly the younger generation, so that they can develop a better understanding of UK agriculture.
Aside from her county adviser role, Ali also leads the NFU Midlands Poultry Board which identifies challenges poultry producers across the region are facing and inputs views to shape the policy positions and arguments the NFU take to the top of government and the supply chain.
Ali also spent two years of her early career on the NFU graduate scheme.
As someone who has grown up on a poultry and arable family farm in Herefordshire, Ali is aware of the immense pressure farmers are under to operate successful businesses and works to help the farming community move forwards.
Prior to her role at the NFU, Ali worked for an agricultural PR company, working across a number of different global businesses within the sector. This emphasised the importance of good communication, particularly for an industry that is often mis-represented, and making sure the wider population understand farming principles and the challenges it faces.
Outside of work Ali is usually helping out on the farm, spending time with her black Labrador, playing hockey, or enjoying Herefordshire’s social farming community. In recent years she also completed the Tesco Future Farmers Foundation which was a fantastic programme that enabled her to meet and learn from top industry professionals and senior executives in retail and food businesses across the supply chain.