Alison worked as an agronomist in South West England for many years before starting to teach crop production. She was a senior lecturer at several colleges and universities including the Royal Agricultural University and Plymouth University (Seale-Hayne campus) lecturing to diploma, degree and masters course students as well as on professional courses. Specialist crop husbandry subjects included soil science, crop production and protection as well as organic and sustainable farming systems. She was a contributing author to the 9th edition and now leads this 10th edition.