Teagasc has appointed a new manager in the Kerry and Limerick advisory region.

The appointment of Noreen (Nora) O'Donovan was approved at the Teagasc authority meeting on Wednesday (April 1). 

O'Donovan will lead the Teagasc team delivering advisory services to farmers and educational courses in the regional offices in the two counties.

From a hill sheep farm in Co. Kerry, O'Donovan graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in agricultural science.

She went on to complete a graduate certificate in strategic leadership in Dublin City University business school.

She has over 20 years of experience in the Irish agriculture sector working with farmers and other stakeholders.

She is currently working as a business and technology dairy advisor co-ordinating the demonstration farmer element of the Teagasc/Dairygold joint programme.

Working closely with the 10 demonstration farmers and local advisory staff, she has led the dissemination of technical information to milk suppliers in the catchment area.

The learnings from this programme are communicated through a broad spectrum of channels to farmers across the country.

Experience

Previously, O'Donovan worked as a dairy business and technology advisor in Co. Kerry, providing dairy technical advice and knowledge to dairy farmers, facilitating five dairy discussion groups in the county.

In her early career, she worked as an agricultural and environmental consultant in the private sector in Co. Carlow, and as a Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) planner for Teagasc in Kerry. 

Head of the Teagasc advisory service, Thomas Curran congratulated O'Donovan on her appointment, saying: “I look forward to working with Nora in her new role as manager in Kerry and Limerick.

"She has a strong record working for Teagasc and will lead the team in the region in delivery [of] a strong technical service along with scheme support service.”  

Supporting farmers

Speaking following her appointment, O'Donovan said: “I am delighted to take on this new role with Teagasc and to work closely with the team across Kerry and Limerick.

"I am passionate about supporting farmers to produce high-quality food in a way that is both environmentally and financially sustainable, while also maintaining a strong quality of life.”  

O'Donovan will take over the management position in the Kerry/Limerick advisory region from Majella Maloney, who will move to manage the Cork east region for Teagasc.

This will follow the retirement of John Horgan.

Director of knowledge transfer in Teagasc, Dr. Stan Lalor thanked John Horgan for his contribution during his lengthy career in the Teagasc advisory service, and for the work he has done with farmers and for the agricultural sector.