Age?
25
Education?
A levels in English, French and philosophy and an English literature degree at Bristol University.
So, what do you actually do?
I am a press officer for the Soil Association.
What’s so ethical about your job?
As the UK's leading environmental charity promoting sustainable, organic farming and championing human health, the Soil Association challenges the orthodoxy of intensive agriculture and is transforming attitudes to food and farming. As an educational charity, our main work is to improve the public’s understanding about how different methods of food production impact on health and the environment. We also lobby policy makers; set organic standards; support and advise organic farmers, and nurture local food networks to bring consumers and producers together.
How did you get into it?
The Soil Association HQ is in Bristol and I volunteered quite a bit for the press office when I was at Bristol University.
What does your typical day involve?
Communicating with journalists, checking out what's in the news about us and related issues, and generally promoting the work of the Soil Association.
What skills and experience do you need in this area of work?
Strong writing and communicating skills and education to degree level.
What kind of personality is best suited to working in a job like yours?
Someone who can work well under pressure and retain a sense of humour! You need to be able to work well as part of a team and solo and who is personable and organised.
Most memorable experience in this job?
Going to visit Soil Association licensee Iain Tolhurst on his farm in Oxfordshire to interview him for a podcast about his organic vegetable business. With a stockless system based around green manures, Tolhurst Organic Produce supply over 400 veg boxes to the Oxford and Reading area with a carbon footprint of just eight tonnes of carbon per year - the same amount as an average UK household. This makes Tolhurst Organic Produce 90% more energy efficient then non-organic produce grown and delivered to a supermarket.
What are the best things about your job?
Going to work everyday with the feeling that the projects and issues the Soil Association is involved with really have the potential to change things for the better. Being inspired by my dedicated colleagues, and by the amazing organic farmers and businesses who have the Soil Association symbol.
And the worst?
Dealing with irate journalists who are under pressure to meet their deadlines!
Any top tips for someone wanting to get into this work?
Identify a charity that you are interested in and find out about volunteer opportunities.
Soil Association
www.soilassociation.org
