On leaving Princes, Reg French undertook studies at Roseworthy Agricultural College, where he completed a Diploma of Agriculture. Later studies included a Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Agricultural Science.
Reg French’s particular interest lies in the area of soils. He spent six years working on soil conservation, scrub clearing, and native vegetation on Eyre Peninsula. On his return to Adelaide he conducted research into the tillage and fertilising of cereal growing soils and the revegetation of pastoral land.
He was appointed Officer in Charge of the Northfield Research Centre in 1966 and ten years later Chief of the Soil and Land Use Division. In 1986 he became the State’s Chief Soil Agronomist. Reg French has published various papers and his work is recognised through four industry awards.