A Lincoln University PhD student’s agricultural research has been recognised in her being awarded the Kate Sheppard Memorial Trust Award.

Laura Keenan’s research is focussed on creating a tool that will help predict the yield and quality of several plants and herbs that are being included in pasture mixes across much of the landscape to improve drought resilience and feed supply for farmers.

Karena Brown, Chairperson of the Kate Sheppard Memorial Trust, described Laura as an impressive young woman and said her research is vital as warmer temperatures across New Zealand result in more areas of the country increasingly experiencing drought conditions.

“With New Zealand’s reliance on the agricultural sector, we need such high calibre graduates undertaking study here, especially when the field of study is such a topical one,” she said.

Anything that could help drought-stricken farmers not only survive but thrive in the future was “something that we felt needed to be supported”..

“The Trust is very pleased to be able to continue to assist talented women achieve their dreams. Given the importance of food production around the world, the research being undertaken by this year’s recipient will be very important not only to New Zealand but to overseas as well.

“We are sure that Kate Sheppard would be proud to lend her name to such a worthwhile area of study.”

The award was announced on NZ Women’s Suffrage Day, the day which commemorates women in New Zealand getting the vote.

Source:  Lincoln University