Future Orchards Trial Program – Enabling growers to explore their challenges
APAL is launching a new small scale research program aimed at responding to emerging issues and enabling growers to explore new concepts on-farm and learn some new skills along the way.
The Future Orchards® Trial Program will start accepting applications from Monday 3 July, with interested growers, service providers and others in the industry able to propose and apply for funding to undertake these activities.
The majority of projects sought for this program are likely to be single-year studies with expected budgets ranging from $2,000 to $10,000; some larger projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This funding can be used to undertake the project activities, purchase necessary equipment or access services with successful applicants required report on the outcomes, with all findings to be published in an annual research review outlining their findings.
To apply, interested parties will be required to submit a short expression of interest and then approved applicants will be asked to prepare a proposal for their project outlining their budget, expected outcomes/impact and the likely timeline for their project, as well as any extra assistance they might need to complete the project.
Projects will be available in two formats:
- Assisted – those unfamiliar with trial management but are willing to manage and complete trial activities. Those in this category will be engaged directly with APAL (and, where needed, a local provider) to assist them with data capture, analysis and/or report writing.
- Self-managed – those who have experience in managing their own small-scale trials and can complete the project independently (including all data analysis and reporting).
Nic Finger, Industry Development Manager for Grower Development and Trials, said he is excited to introduce the concept and hopes to see a range of growers and those who support them applying for the program.
“It’s a great opportunity to tap into a few of those ideas that have been sitting at the back of your mind and explore them in the orchard. I would hope some growers see it as an opportunity to involve some of their junior staff in leading a small project to find better ways of doing things on the farm.”
In addition to an open expression of interest, a list of potential projects will also be published when the program launches based on some suggestions posed over the last 12 months.
Submit an expression of interest
For further information on the program, please contact Nic Finger [email protected]
Expressions of interest will open from Monday 3 July.
