Maureen is the Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum and Vice President of the European Agroforestry Federation. With a background in low-input farming, she earned her B.Agr (Hons) and MSc in Environmental Science from Queen’s University Belfast. Maureen studied agroforestry as part of her degree, writing her dissertation on the impact of agriculture including agroforestry on biodiversity. Maureen's background includes roles as a researcher at QUB, lecturer at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise in Northern Ireland, and community development at Sustainable Northern Ireland. She is passionate about sustainable farming, agroforestry education and promotion, circular bioeconomy principles and slow food. She has a particular interest in the production of beef and lamb from agroforestry systems and local supply chains. As well as her management skills she brings extensive experience in community and education outreach, stakeholder engagement, and awareness campaigns to the forum. Maureen is a member of the Irish Agroforestry Forum and the Woodland Forum UK, she is the Ireland delegate on the Executive Committee of the European Agroforestry Federation and is an advisor to Interlace Commons LLC.

Project Coordinator

Elaine brings a wealth of experience in programme management, member engagement and interagency collaboration and has worked on the promotion and development of a variety of educational programmes. Elaine’s background includes work within corporate and non-profit sectors on social value and knowledge-sharing projects. Her skillset includes user experience testing, digital communications and event coordination. She contributes practical administration and stakeholder interaction activity to the work of the Irish Agroforestry Forum, supporting the Forum's members and promoting agroforestry education and engagement.

Farm Walk Organiser

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.