Directors
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Professor/Dr Jim McAdam
Jim is an agricultural scientist specialising in agri-environment measures and in the potential for agroforestry systems to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. He retired from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in 2018 but remains active in silvopastoral research and in promoting agroforestry systems across the island of Ireland. He has a particular interest in developing climate-resilient farming systems. He is an honorary professor in the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast and an Associate with Ulster Wildlife.
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Dr Ian Short
Ian is a Teagasc forestry researcher working in broadleaf silviculture and alternative silviculture systems. He has a Ph.D. from Queen’s University and has published more than 30 studies and papers on the topics of agroforestry, silviculture/silvopasture, broadleaf tree selection, sustainable land management, and more. Dr Ian Short is a member of EURAF (European Agroforestry Federation) and the UK Farm Woodland Forum (formerly UK Agroforestry Forum).
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Imogen Rabone
Imogen is founder and co-ordinator of the Trees on the Land project - a cross-border initiative working to establish young native trees across the 32 counties of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. She works with tree cover and woodland establishment and management projects across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and parts of England and Wales. Her main interests lie in the restoration and re-establishment of old and lost tree cover infrastructure on farms and in the wider landscape and she has a special interest in Agroforestry of all kinds, particularly in wood pasture.
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Gavin Lynch
Gavin Lynch, a farmer from Hell's Kettle in west Wicklow, Ireland, stands out in the agricultural landscape. While his family's farm primarily focuses on conventional dairy farming, Gavin has taken a unique path by cultivating a sizable hazelnut enterprise. Amidst the routine of dairy operations, Gavin tends to 1,500 hazel trees. His farming journey began with a degree in agricultural science in Essex. Returning to Donard, he combined traditional organic dairy farming with the experimental hazelnut orchard. Gavin's commitment to permaculture and organic practices sets him apart in Ireland's farming community.
Manager
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Maureen Kilgore
Maureen is the Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum, where she leads the development and delivery of national initiatives that promote agroforestry as a climate-resilient, productive land use. She holds a B.Agriculture (Hons) and an MSc in Environmental Science from Queen’s University Belfast, and brings over 20 years of experience in agriculture, and environmental science. Maureen oversees stakeholder engagement, education and outreach programmes, project development, and communications for the Forum. She is highly experienced in training delivery and facilitation, holding qualifications in Training Evaluation and Delivery (Level 6), Group Facilitation Methods (ICA UK), and Facilitative Leadership (NOCN). Her work focuses on empowering farmers, landowners, advisors, foresters, and communities to adopt agroforestry through inclusive, evidence-based knowledge sharing. Maureen also serves as Vice President of the European Agroforestry Federation and contributes to both national and European advisory and knowledge transfer groups on sustainable land use and forestry policy. She is passionate about integrated, nature-based solutions and strengthening advisory networks and knowledge transfer systems to support resilient whole-farm planning and climate action.
Project Support
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Una Wycherley
Una is an Education & Training Facilitator and supports the Irish Agroforestry Forum by assisting in the delivery of practical, on-farm training days and education events focused on integrating trees into farming systems. Her work ensures participants gain both technical knowledge and hands-on skills in agroforestry practices. With over a decade of experience in organic horticulture and sustainable food systems, Una brings a deep well of practical and educational expertise to her role. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Organic Farming from SRUC, alongside multiple QQI-accredited certifications in Training Delivery and Evaluation. Una currently serves as Coordinator of Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI), where she manages the national internship programme and leads educational initiatives including seasonal workshops, webinars, and conferences.
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Ragna Gruendler
Ragna is a nature enthusiast dedicated to improving the environment through tree planting. With a background rooted in a childhood spent amidst the diverse forests of Germany, Ragna's passion for trees grew. In 2013, she initiated a 5-acre native woodland project on her Irish farm, introducing alder, birch, oak, hazel, and more. Ragna expanded this endeavour, creating hedgerows, woodland zones, and nature corridors. Her connection with nature began early, working on a local farm by age 10. Since relocating to Ireland in 2001, Ragna has been instrumental in restoring her Connolly farm, now cultivating over 40 tree species. Committed to promoting a healthier landscape, Ragna, through her work at the Irish Agroforestry Forum, shares her vision and continues to explore innovative ways to integrate trees into the farming environment. Adaptable, diligent, and forward-thinking, Ragna supports and promotes agroforestry innovation in Ireland.
Secretary
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Kevin Fagan
Advisory Group Members
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Eugene Curran
Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine
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Pamela Boyle
Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine
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Jack Nolan
Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine
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Tom Houlihan
Teagasc
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Liam Kelly
Teagasc
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Sean McGloin
National Organic Training Skillnet
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John Brennan
Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-Op
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Donal Chambers
Kinsale College Permaculture
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Rory Harrington
Researcher
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Catherine Cleary
Pocket Forests
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Rachel Irwin
Teagasc
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Brendan Fitzsimons
Tree Council
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Rory Lunny
DEFRA
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Clive Bright
Rare Ruminare