The National Soils Advocate, former Governor-General Major General The Honourable Michael Jeffery, visited the Waite precinct on Friday 15 March to meet soil researchers and HDR students as well as A/Professor Luke Mosley, current President of Soil Science Australia.
The program included visits to the Plant Accelerator and winery, as well as Dr Alan McKay at SARDI, Dr Lynne McDonald at CSIRO and morning tea at Urrbrae House.
A number of UA staff and students also presented to General Jeffery during his tour, which was co-hosted by Executive Dean of Sciences, Professor Keith Jones. Their research spanned fertiliser technologies, nutrient cycling, soil-borne diseases, increasing the nitrogen and carbon content of soil with cover crops, urban agriculture, the role of mycorrhizal fungi in soil and plant health, and organic amendments to increase ‘soil health’.
General Jeffery’s passionate interest in making agricultural practices more sustainable through better soil and groundwater management in part arises from deep concern about his ten grandchildren and the effect climate change will likely have on their lives.
Major General Michael Jeffery (left) pictured with Associate Professor Chris Ford, Associate Professor Tim Cavagnaro and Professor Keith Jones at Urrbrae House