Sir Peter Kendall will deliver keynote speech at free virtual event this Friday as hort research charity unveils new five-year plans for science and impact
Horticulture research charity The East Malling Trust is marking 100 years of funding support with an event to launch its new Science and Impact Strategy.
The virtual event, which takes place on LinkedIn at 12.30pm this Friday (18 July), is expected to be attended by more than 200 academics, fruit and veg producers and government officials.
Former NFU president and current interim board chair at Rothamsted Research, Sir Peter Kendall, will deliver a keynote speech covering the importance of investment in horticulture research.
Speakers from East Malling will also outline how the charity plans to move forward for the next five years with an emphasis on new collaborations and greater knowledge exchange.
There will also be discussions around the continued development of the East Malling Campus – located on the Bradbourne House Estate in Kent – into a horticulture innovation hub.
“We’ve got a great set of speakers and there will also be an update on how we will be administering the next phase of the Director’s Award, with a far wider remit on supporting projects that create jobs and bring innovations to market quicker,” said Dr Celia Caulcott, chair of the EMT Science & Impact Committee.
“Now is the time for greater collaboration and greater innovation and, at The East Malling Trust, we want to help pull this all together.
“That’s what we will be unveiling at the science and impact strategy launch this Friday and we want as many people – who are invested in and passionate about horticulture – as possible to take part and feed the discussion.”
People wishing to attend the virtual event can register their interest by emailing admin@eastmallingtrust.org.
