AW Howard Memorial Trust

The AW Howard Memorial Trust was established by the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science (now AIAST) in 1964 to commemorate the unique contribution of Amos Howard in the use of subterranean clover as a pasture plant in Australia.

In 1889 Amos William Howard found subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) growing. He recognised its great promise and was the pioneer of its use in sown pastures.

Through Amos Howard's foresight, devotion and tireless effort, the value of subterranean clover was firmly established and has become the most important pasture plant in Australia. It has multiplied flocks and herds by transforming millions of acres of infertile soils into productive pasture land and increased our harvests by restoring the fertility of large tracts of worn out wheat lands.

The aim of the Trust is to encourage and promote research and investigation in the fields of natural science and social science, including economics which relate to the development, management and use of pastures.

The Trust annually awards three grants relating to pasture research:

  • up to $3500 annually on travel grants to assist scientists undertake overseas study tours and participate in international conferences
  • research fellowships in the form of top up postgraduate stipends of $5000 per annum up to 3 years 
  • grants-in-aid up to $5000 to Australian organisations, associations, communities or persons that seek financial aid for projects relating to pasture research. 

Applications close 26 March 2009.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of April.

More information about AW Howard

WJ Spafford's article on Subterranean Clover, published in the Department of Agriculture of South Australia Bulletin in  1933 gives more information about the plant and use as a crop.

History and early production is given in DE Symon's article 'The Early Production by A.W. Howard of Subterranean Clover Seed' published in Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia in 1961.

More information about the Trust and AW Howard's contribution to agriculture is included in the Presentation to the Mt Barker Agricultural Bureau (PDF), given by Prof Rob Lewis in May 2006.

AW Howard Constitution (PDF)

Farrer Memorial Trust

The Farrer Memorial Trust (external link) was established in memory of William James Farrer, a leading Australian agronomist and wheat breeder. The Trust awards 'travelling scholarships' to postgraduate students enrolled for PhD study on any aspect of agricultural research.