At the Morley Agricultural Foundation AGM on 20th January, board member John Wallace was elected chairman. He has been on the TMAF board since its inception in 2003. John has farmed at Coney Weston, near the Suffolk Norfolk border, all his working life.
John has taken reins from Nick Steed who continues on the board. Nick steps down after chairing TMAF board since its inception in 2003 but also sat on many committees during the ‘Morley Research Centre’ days
He said ‘I am delighted to accept the chairmanship of TMAF. I have always admired the work of the foundation and its predecessors. Looking forward, I am enthusiastic about developing our relationship with our sister organisation NIAB, who conduct a large number of trials here(3600 plots) and , using our grant awarding function, trying to keep all research we grant aid or host, relevant to East Anglian farming. To this end, and in line with boards recent review of its priorities, the membership of 460 will be consulted, as well as a large number of agronomists, to reassure us that current research projects are in line with grass roots farming opinion’.
He continued ’I am also keen on the considerable investments we make in education, both by grant aiding specific activities at Easton and Otley College, as well as providing part funding for students researching for their PhD’s.
Finally. I shall be urging the board to continue to support activities which tell the good news that modern farming brings to society as a whole’.