The Morley Agricultural Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £152,063 (charitable activities expenditure, FY 2023-24)
• Total Investment in Projects: ~£500,000 annually in agricultural research and education
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed biannually (January and June meetings)
• Grant Range: Varies by program (individual bursaries for 1-2 week courses to multi-year PhD and research projects)
• Geographic Focus: East Anglia, particularly Norfolk and surrounding regions

Contact Details

Website: www.tmaf.co.uk

Email: michaela.canham@tmaf.co.uk

Phone: 01953 859630

Address: Morley Business Centre, Deopham Road, Morley St. Botolph, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9DF

Pre-application Contact: Email Michaela Canham to discuss project ideas and receive an application form if eligible

Overview

The Morley Agricultural Foundation (TMAF) is a registered charity (No. 1097174) established in 2003 following the transfer of assets and farmland from the Morley Research Centre, originally known as The Norfolk Agricultural Station. With total income of £1.84 million in FY 2023-24, the Foundation invests approximately £500,000 annually in agricultural research and education projects supporting farming in East Anglia. TMAF's mission is to promote the study and knowledge of agricultural science and the application of modern techniques to agriculture and husbandry for public benefit. The Foundation operates with a distinctive approach, maintaining its own farm to host research projects and emphasizing that all research results are made publicly available. As a member of the AgriFood Charities Partnership (AFCP), TMAF collaborates with over 150 other UK food and farming charities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants

• Focus on arable crop research relevant to East Anglia
• Long-term projects that may struggle to attract funding elsewhere
• PhD studentships in collaboration with other funders and partners
• Research can be hosted on TMAF's own farm
• Application method: Initial enquiry via email, then formal application if eligible

Educational Grants

• Support for further education studies in approved areas of arable crop production
• Projects range from PhD students to primary school farming education
• Emphasis on communicating research results and recommendations
• TMAF provides support for training on communication skills

Professional Development Bursaries

• Annual bursaries for individuals in farming
• Short courses (1-2 weeks) to develop or hone skills
• Applicants must demonstrate commitment to using skills in East Anglia farming businesses
• Supports CPD at all levels including BASIS Professional Register, FACTS Qualified Advisers, RoSA sheep advisers, and Environmental Advisers Register

Priority Areas

• Arable research improving productivity while reducing negative environmental impact
• Crop production systems and sustainable farming methods
• Crop nutrition and plant health
• Soil health and agronomic monitoring (e.g., long-running SAMS project)
• Water management in farming
• Carbon monitoring and footprint reduction
• Nematology and plant pathology
• Sugar beet production
• Knowledge sharing and public engagement about agricultural practices
• Projects benefiting farming in East Anglia, particularly Norfolk

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus on East Anglia arable farming suggests exclusions include:

• Projects outside East Anglia region
• Non-agricultural research
• Projects not related to arable crop production
• Commercial ventures without research or educational benefit

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Governance and Leadership

Board Structure: Charitable Trust run by a Board of Trustees, appointed by an Advisory Council of 14 members which meets twice a year (January and June).

Current Trustees:

• Richard Wilbourn (Chairman): Farm manager of local farming business growing arable crops on own land and contract farming arrangements. Quote: “I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve TMAF”

• Sue Lord (Deputy Chair): Independent crop consultant, member of Association of Independent Crop Consultants, long-term involvement with Morley

• Simon Evans: Partner at Irelands, Arnolds Keys, heads their specialist agricultural and rural property team, focuses on TMAF estate and property affairs

• Ben Hadingham: Runs family farm at Flixton on Norfolk-Suffolk border, degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management, interested in carbon footprint of farming

• Christine Hill: Director of family farm in mid-Norfolk growing combinable crops, sugar beet, potatoes, and dwarf beans; former science teacher with particular interest in agricultural education and research

• Patrick Mutimer: Runs family business at Suffield near North Walsham with mixed farming system including finishing pigs, combinable crops, vining peas, sugar beet, and AD feedstock; interested in plant nutrition and agricultural science

• Steve Rawsthorne: Retired research scientist with background in plant physiology and biochemistry, ensures high-quality research investments

• Nick Steed: Involved with Morley for over thirty years, career in practical farm management, now works as consultant, supports research and development funding

Key Staff:

• Michaela Canham: TMAF's Financial Manager, qualified accountant managing finances
• David Jones: Farm manager at Morley since 2008

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• What research, professional development, or educational activity you have in mind
• How it relates to arable farming in East Anglia

1. Eligibility Assessment: If your idea falls within funding criteria, you will be sent an application form

• Name and contact details
• Detailed project description

1. Alternative Contact: Use the online contact form on the TMAF website

Decision Timeline

• Advisory Council Meetings: Twice yearly (typically January and June)
• Decision Process: Trustees meet to discuss matters affecting the Foundation, decide grant awards, and hear from current grant recipients
• Notification: Methods not specified; applicants should expect decisions following January and June meetings

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Specific application numbers and award percentages are not available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated. Contact TMAF directly for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators:

• Geographic Relevance: Projects must clearly benefit farming in East Anglia, particularly Norfolk and surrounding areas
• Practical Application: Demonstrate how research or training will be used “back in a farming business in East Anglia”
• Arable Focus: Strong emphasis on arable crop production and related research
• Public Benefit: All research results must be publicly available; TMAF values independent research that benefits the wider farming community
• Sustainability: Projects improving productivity while reducing negative environmental impact are prioritized
• Long-term Value: TMAF supports longer-term projects that may struggle to attract funding elsewhere
• Communication Commitment: Educational grant recipients must commit to communicating results and recommendations

Foundation Philosophy: As stated on their website: “The great thing about funding research in this way is that the results and information are available to everyone.”

Recent Examples of Funded Projects:

• PhD student Alex Smart in nematology and plant pathology
• Dr. Georgina Barratt's sustainable sugar beet production research
• Long-Term Agricultural Trials (LOTS) initiated in 2007
• Morley SAMS (Soil and Agronomic Monitoring Study) - 30 monitoring sites across 400 square metres each, now in sixth year
• JFA (Junior Farmers Association) educational programs
• Support for Aylsham Show educational attractions

Language and Terminology: TMAF uses terms emphasizing practical farming, sustainability, “arable research,” “productivity,” “environmental impact,” “East Anglia,” “public benefit,” and “knowledge sharing.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Regional Focus is Critical: Your project must demonstrate clear benefits to East Anglia farming, particularly arable production. Generic UK-wide projects are unlikely to succeed.

• Embrace Open Knowledge: TMAF strongly values making research results publicly available. Emphasize how your findings will be shared with the wider farming community.

• Initial Enquiry First: Don't prepare a full application initially. Send a brief email (250 words) to Michaela Canham outlining your idea to determine eligibility before investing time in a formal application.

• Timing Matters: Plan submissions around the January and June trustee meetings for decision-making. Consider which meeting aligns best with your project timeline.

• Sustainability Balance: Show how your project improves farming productivity while reducing environmental impact—this dual focus is central to TMAF's strategy.

• Practical Farming Connections: The trustees are practicing farmers and agricultural professionals. Demonstrate practical applicability rather than purely academic research.

• Consider Long-term Projects: TMAF explicitly welcomes longer-term projects that may struggle elsewhere, potentially giving you an advantage if traditional funders have rejected your proposal for duration concerns.

References

• The Morley Agricultural Foundation official website: https://tmaf.co.uk/
• TMAF “How to Apply” page: https://tmaf.co.uk/how-to-apply/
• TMAF “What We Fund” page: https://tmaf.co.uk/what-we-fund/
• TMAF Trustees page: https://tmaf.co.uk/trustees/
• TMAF Educational Grants page: https://tmaf.co.uk/educational-grants/
• TMAF Research Grants page: https://tmaf.co.uk/research-grants/
• TMAF Annual Summary of Activities: https://tmaf.co.uk/tmaf-activities/
• UK Charity Commission Register - The Morley Agricultural Foundation (Charity No. 1097174): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1097174&subid=0
• AgriFood Charities Partnership - TMAF profile: https://afcp.org.uk/organisation/the-morley-agricultural-foundation/