The Morley Agricultural Foundation 2024 AGM and Winter Talk
Bridging the Information Gap – Bringing Practical Research and Innovation to Agriculture
took place at Morley Business Centre, Deopham Road, Morley, NR18 9DF
on 8th February 2024.
This year, at our TMAF Winter Talks we had the chance to listen to and question David Purdy (PhD researcher), Jo Martlew (Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB) and Belinda Clarke (Director, Agri-TechE).
David Purdy brought us up to date on his research and his conversations with farmers.
David is enthusiastic about soil science and health in practical agricultural production systems and is a part time PhD researcher (completing in early 2024). He is investigating biophysical effects of the roots of plants in no-till systems, both as cover and companion crops, to improve soil health and crop yields.
Joe Martlew introduced the next 6 years of Morley as an AHDB Strategic Farm and described the challenges of practical research.
Joe Martlew is now an AHDB Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager after working in academia as a soil scientist and in agriculture as a research agronomist.
He is responsible for a range of applied agricultural science work and has a strong interest in sustainable farming systems.
Belinda Clarke explained how the Agri-TechE and TMAF Early Careers Innovation Forum is building on success of the Young Innovators Forum.
Belinda is driven by belief that innovation is a vital driver for agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and economic growth. Over the last 8 years she has led the development of the award-winning membership network which is Agri-TechE to become one of the largest and longest-established agri-tech innovation ecosystems in Europe and in 2019 was named national Networking Group of the Year at the UK SME Business Awards.