Dr Philip Eberbach has been appointed as director of the Farrer Centre, one of the University’s original research centres.

The Farrer Centre, located on the Wagga Wagga Campus, was established in 1989 to provide a focus for research, education and consultancy in sustainable agriculture production and the rural environment. 

It is the hub of a network which includes the University, government agencies, industry groups and farmers.

A soil scientist, Dr Eberbach is well qualified for the position with an 11-year career with CSU’s School of Agriculture, where he is currently senior lecturer in soil management.

He is also leader of the education program at the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Rice Production and Independent Chairman of the Murray Groundwater Management Committee. 

In 1996, he spent 12 months in Syria as visiting senior scientist in plant and soil water relations with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas.

Dr Eberbach said the Farrer Centre will be focusing its activities in four key areas: landscape management, innovative plant science, food and fibre production and spatial information technology. 

Projects that are already advanced include biopesticide research in the innovative plant science program. 

Dr Eberbach’s appointment is the final step in a comprehensive review of the Farrer Centre’s activities and structure.