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In this blog post, departing Wales Membership Co-ordinator, Amber Wheeler, shares her reflections on how LWA Cymru has grown and organised over the past two years, and looks at what the next Wales Membership Coordinator has to look forward to!
Amber Wheeler at the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference (WRFFC) in 2023.
Two years ago when I started at the Landworkers’ Alliance of Wales Membership Co-ordinator membership numbers in Wales were at 192, Cymru level organising was strong but regional organising and member communication less so, there wasn’t a Welsh language policy and the LWA didn’t have a presence at the Royal Welsh – the flagship annual event for Welsh agriculture.
Over the last two years these things have been worked on. There are now four active regional WhatsApp groups for members; West, South, Mid and North and these facilitate communication and organising. The Facebook page also continues to be a way that members and non-members communicate about all things agroecological food and farming, nearly 900 people now engaging.
LWA now has a Welsh language policy and a new Welsh identity and logo – Gweithwyr y Tir, all official communications, in Wales, go out bi-lingually, publications and annual reports are available bilingually and there’s a Welsh speaking WhatsApp for members who prefer to communicate in Welsh. Hwre!
We worked hard to carve a space out for the Landworkers’ Alliance at the Royal Welsh with a stall of our own the Countryside Stewardship Area in 2022 and then, with partners, a whole Agroecology Marquee with in 2023. In 2024 we will be moving to the new Horticulture area with outreach in forestry and livestock areas. Exciting!
Some highlights of the last two years:
- Working within the dynamic LWA staff and membership team and learning so much
- Working with passionate and dedicated farmers to grow the movement and spreading good practice in Wales
- Working with Holly Tomlinson to engage members in policy work, particularly on the Sustainable Farming Scheme a Horticulture support
- Engaging with members and non-members to research and promote Agroecology through case studies for the Land of Our Future campaign of WWF Cymru
- Working with people dedicated to ground up solutions through the fabulous Wales Real Food and Farming Conference
On a personal level the best bits have always been the events and getting together with wonderful people across Wales. Hundreds of members have attended events and farm tours all over Wales over the last two years. I particularly loved the, all Wales, event at Braich Goch near Machynlleth which was jam packed with fun, music, serious topics discussed, farm tours and an impromptu picnic and swim at Ynyslas. Agroecological Magic.
In 2024 the Landworkers’ Alliance has 367 members in Wales, Cymru level organising is still strong and so too is regional organising and member communication, there a Welsh language policy and identity and the LWA has made a place at the Royal Welsh for agroecology. The next Wales membership co-ordinator has plenty to look forward to, to continue to strengthen the work of the LWA in Wales, build the movement and the membership and reach into new communities.
Diolch o galon.
We are seeking a new Wales Membership Coordinator – a confident and skilled communicator and facilitator, who understands the complex issues and dynamics surrounding food, farming and forestry in Wales in order to develop and deliver strategies for membership recruitment, outreach and engagement.
Could this be you? Apply by 9th April!
