Womens Food & Farming Union - Food Consumers Producers Farmers Growers

The Women's Food and Farming Union is made up of branches in England, Scotland and Wales. The organisation is often referred to as WFU. The primary aim of the WFU is to link producer and consumer, this is achieved by women working together with a common aim. The organisation was founded in 1979.

Branches arrange their own programmes and meet usually once a month, you can contact your nearest branch by going to WFU branches on this website. Anyone can join WFU, although most members have a link with agriculture, food or rural affairs. There are a wide range of activities within branches across the country, however the organisation is well-known for its campaigns which you can view by linking on to the 'WFU projects on this website.

If you would like to join the WFU please download the application form below.

I would like to begin by thanking WFU members for their tremendous work both locally and nationally throughout 2008. The WFU is highly regarded in both political and commercial worlds and this is reflected by the quality of speakers who contribute to their conferences and seminars.

2008 was the year in which the Government finally highlighted the importance of food security, a theme which was included by Ministers at both the Oxford and National Farmers’ Union Conferences. We saw for ourselves the impact of food shortages in some of the least developed countries and we know that changes in climate will affect many people around the world.

This last two years have seen great volatility in commodity prices. Feed wheat at seventy pounds a tonne in 2006/7 rose to an average of a hundred and fifty pounds a tonne in 2007/8, falling to ninety five pounds in 2008/9. Fertiliser prices quoted at four hundred pounds in the autumn of 2008 are down to two hundred and sixty five pounds in January 2009. For farmers it is this unpredictability that is their biggest concern and this at a time when the world continues to struggle with a global financial crisis.

Long term, I believe that there is a great future for UK farming. World population numbers are forecast to increase by over three billion by 2050. This fact, together with changes in climate mean that worldwide we need to double food production and that on less land than we have available today. Farmer’s contribution to society is better understood but there is still a long way to go. Locally produced food brings fresh traceable produce; it is also environmentally sustainable. We need to spend more time telling consumers about the quality and origin of their food, enabling them to feel more involved in the life cycle of the countryside.

WFU members have always responded to challenges and I am confident that 2009 will bring greater involvement in the food story. We have a real opportunity now to forge ongoing links throughout the food chain and I am extremely grateful to all who seek to promote the best of British produce. Might I take this opportunity to wish you all every success for this coming year.
WFU Patron, March 2009.

Below you will find details of our members,
who serve on the Central Executive Committee, from all over the country.

Helen Bower: Nottinghamshire
Has been farming in Nottinghamshire with her husband for 40 years. Starting with mixed cattle, sheep and arable moving to total combinable crops about 15 years ago. Was a founder member of Nottinghamshire WFU and chairman 1987/89. CEC member from 1991/99. Researched topics for WFU including nitrates in water, Listeria genetic modification and pesticide use. Represented WFU on Pesticide Forum and associated sub committees for 13 years. Studied the ethics of genetically modified crops at Nottingham University. Published papers on The Public Perception of Genetic Modification 1994.

WFU responsibilities: Acting President 2009.

Jennifer Stratford: Hampshire
I help manage our Hereford cattle, our market is mainly commercial and I more than understand the constraints and frustrations within the industry. I have just completed nine years on the board of management of a major national women’s charity for six years of which I was National Treasurer dealing with finance, and major legal restructure changes in administration, Company Incorporation and developing a new constitution.

Farming and food will be on the agenda worldwide and it is important WFU is part of that, building on the links with producer and consumer .

WFU responsibilities: Acting Secretary and Constitution.

Barbara Hughes, Cheshire
Qualifications and experience: Milks 130 cattle in Cheshire and rears 150 beef cattle per year. Barbara is a strong and vocal supporter of the UK’s milk industry. She is supported by her husband, who also runs his own business outside of the agricultural industry. Hobbies include riding and breeding dalmations.

WFU Responsibilities: Dairy Committee Chairman.

Sally Joseph
I am from a farming background, and went into banking when I left school, until I took a career break to have children; twin daughters and a son. My husband and I run a beef and arable farm, but we were dairying previously. I have always been actively involved on the farm, at one time running a free-range egg enterprise, supplying the farmers market of which I was a co- founder.
With the girls now at university, I have returned to an office environment at a local engineering company.

I have been involved in Glamorgan WFU since its formation nine years ago.
For the last three years I have taken a very active role as Chairman, and have thoroughly enjoyed providing branch members with a varied programme and activities, and was very proud of the fact that we were presented with an award at the AGM in recognition of this.

We have been rewarded also with a growth in membership of our branch.
As a passionate supporter of the farming industry I have been involved in maintaining and enhancing links with the public by organising branch cheese promotions at local shows and farmhouse breakfasts in local junior schools.
In 2008 I was very actively involved in the organisation of the very successful WFU Annual Conference in Wales, seeking sponsorship, taking bookings and liaising with other branches.

The experience of attending Chairman’s meetings for three years, and being involved in the organising of the National Conference, has given me the confidence and enthusiasm to develop further my role within WFU as a member of the CEC.

WFU responsibilities: Welsh Co-ordinator, Acting Cheese Co-ordinator for The British Cheese Board.

Margaret P Gibson: Cumbria
I am responsible for approximately 21 members and I made the decision to send out an introductory letter, which has been gratefully received: I am now in the process of recruiting new members and have the promise of four Postal plus one Business Membership.

I enrolled as Postal Member for Cumbria on the WFU four years ago and was invited to sit on the Livestock Committee. After accompanying the Cheshire members into Downing Street with a petition regarding falling milk prices, I now sit on the Dairy Committee. On two occasions I have represented WFU Yorkshire at the Chairman’s Committee meetings.

WFU responsibilities: Acting HGCA British Farmhouse Breakfast Campaign Co-ordinator, Central Executive Council in 2009 and made co-ordinator for the Postal members.

Eunice Finney: Staffordshire
I am a member of Staffordshire WFU, due to personal circumstances my membership lapsed, having met old friends at Highgrove, I rejoined last year and was elected onto the CEC in March 2009. A past Staffordshire Chairman; Livestock Committee; Director of School Milk Ltd, helped start the WFU School Milk Project and worked for the project for a year.

I live at Amerton Farm & Craft Centre (www.amertonfarm.co.uk), working three days a week as General Manager. Married to Bill with two teenage children, we have a Farmhouse B&B business and I am a trained nurse and Complementary Therapist.

Amerton was one of the first farm diversifications established 25 years, now employing almost 100 staff. We source and serve local food, for six years we have organised a Farmhouse Breakfast event, this year cooking 261 breakfasts.

At present I am Chairman of Staffordshire Rural Hub; Director of West Midland Rural Hub Ltd; Appointed by WM Government Office as a Food & Farming Champion; Member of Advantage WM Food & Drink COG; WIRE, Heart of England Fine Foods and Staffordshire Rural Forum; Vice President Staffordshire Federation and West Midland Area YFC; Chairman of Governors for a small rural school.

My previous experience includes Co-ordinator of British Food & Farming 1989 and YoFF 2007/8; ATB Organiser; Regional MAFF Liaison Panel; Staffordshire YFC County Organiser; County and Club President; NFYFC Council and Board of Management and a member of the Local Education Authority for eight years.

WFU responsibilities: Acting Press Officer, Food & Consumer Committee and Website Working Party.

English Representative - Vacancy to be discussed at the next CEC.
Scottish Representative - Vacancy to be discussed at the next CEC.

Chairman of Livestock Committee - Vacancy to be discussed at the next CEC.
Chairman of the Food & Consumer Committee - Vacancy to be discussed at the next CEC.
Chairman of the Land Use & Environment Committee - Vacancy to be discussed at the next CEC.

The Central Executive Committee have co-opted the following past Presidents to provide assistance to the CEC: Teresa Wickham, Elizabeth Browning, Meg Stroude and Gillian van de Meer.