Ireland donates historic soil testing device to FAO museum

The museum in Rome will be a permanent, interactive space dedicated to global food systems, cultural traditions, and sustainable agriculture

The device that has been donated is made of steel and was designed in the 1960s by Johnstown Castle technician Pat Hayes with soil researcher Austin O’Sullivan, who later founded the Irish Agricultural Museum. Picture: Colin Shanahan, DigiCol Photography & Media Productions

The Irish Agricultural Museum in Wexford has donated an historical soil testing device for permanent display at a new museum opening this week in Rome, Italy.

The Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (FAO MuNe) is being launched to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Day.