Winners of the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award announced

Brian and Karen Flanagan were presented with their award by Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc and Vincent Byrne, Head of Promotion and Communication, Forestry Division at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Roscommon couple Brian and Karen Flanagan have been named winners of the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award.

The Flanagans were presented with their award in Dublin on Thursday, April 10, by Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc and Vincent Byrne, Head of Promotion and Communication, Forestry Division at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Receiving the Special Commendation Award in the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Category was Wexford farmer Hugh Barrett, who farms along with his daughter Sally.

Farming on 30 hectares in Castlerea, County Roscommon, Brian Flanagan buys in one-year-old cattle and sells them after 12-18 months. Having joined the Organic Farming Scheme last year, the number of cattle he sells will reduce next year as the farm converts to organic production.

In 2010, Brian planted 11 hectares of the farm and now has a mix of Sitka spruce and oak, having replaced five hectares of ash in 2017. His reasons for planting were split between diversifying farm income and a long-term interest in trees, forests and the wider environment. Brian also has plans to invest in a wood-chipper to provide organic bedding from some of his harvested material. 

Brian is a great believer in and strong advocate of planting – from the benefits of a more stable income and shelter for the stock to the reduction in workload and how forestry complements his land in the ACRES scheme. And, if all that wasn’t enough, Brian’s forest provides him and his family with an amazing amenity on their doorstep.

On receiving the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, Brian Flanagan said: “I’m delighted firstly to have been shortlisted and secondly to have won the Teagasc award. I feel it’s great that the woodland has got recognition of the farming and biodiversity benefits that it brings.”

Congratulating Brian and Karen Flanagan, Professor Pat Dillon said: “The award acknowledges Brian and Karen’s role in successfully diversifying their family farm income streams through the sustainable integration of their forestry and farming enterprises while enhancing and protecting the farm and wider environment.

“Brian is also an excellent example of a farmer demonstrating innovation and entrepreneurship to future-proof the family farm while improving work-life balance. Teagasc is delighted to be associated with the RDS Forestry Awards through our sponsorship of the Farm Forestry Award Category.” 

Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry advisor, added: “I congratulate Brian and Karen on their well-deserved award. Their farming story is one of successful diversification into forestry and highlights how farms and forests can work so well together to support the family farm with strong economic, practical, social and environmental benefits.” 

The 2026 RDS Farm Forestry Awards, incorporating the Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, will open soon for entries.