The Morley Agricultural Foundation (TMAF) is a charity which hosts and facilitates agricultural research and education, much of it on its own farm. The research is carried out by a number of bodies including the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) and the John Innes Centre (JIC).
TMAF has a farm of 494 hectares as well as a further 268 hectares under rental or contract farming arrangements. It is on this farmland that the majority of the research is carried out. The parts of the farm which are not involved in trials are farmed commercially and the profits added to the Foundation’s investments, the income from which is used to grant aid research projects, local education initiatives and events which further the public’s understanding of farming.
TMAF is in a very good position to undertake long and medium term experiments: it has ample space to accommodate a range of trials, including some at field scale with many trial partners, and facilities to demonstrate practical outcomes on site (including a lecture room).
TMAF makes use of its convenient location to foster links with the higher science and bio technology presence on the Norwich Science Park and with the University of East Anglia as well as assisting Easton and Otley college to deliver the practical aspects of their curricula.