Research into sustainable agriculture in Tasmania will be strengthened through the enduring legacy of the late respected orchardist and farmer John Roberts
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), a specialist institute at the University of Tasmania has announced it has received a $482,000 donation to directly fund research projects and support Nuffield Australia to offer scholarships to the state’s farmers.
The donation was made by the JM Roberts Charitable Trust, which was established in 2003 by the late Tasmanian orchardist and farmer John Roberts to support environmental sustainability, agricultural innovation, and the education of young people about the importance of caring for the land.
Since 2020, the Trust has provided $20,000 of seed funding to TIA each year, supporting a total of 12 research projects that are directly supporting the sustainability and productivity of Tasmania’s agriculture sector.
Next year that figure will increase to $31,500 per year and will continue for another five years to advance activities in sustainable agriculture.
The increased funding commitment also includes an annual allocation of $65,000 to support the JM Roberts and TIA Nuffield Scholarship for Young Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture.
“John devoted most of his life to farming, which instilled in him the importance of looking after the environment,” trustee of the JM Roberts Charitable Trust Brian Faulkner says.
“He was a man before his time and certainly took sustainability to another level in establishing the trust during his lifetime.
“He would be excited by the research projects that have been undertaken by TIA researchers and many others that will be funded in the future. We’re pleased to be able to increase the seed funding we offer to help many other worthwhile projects.
“Our desire to support the Nuffield Scholarship will support projects that are focussed on improving the sustainability of Tasmanian agriculture.”