After 33 years in the mushroom industry, Dr. Helen Grogan will retire in March 2025. According to Teagasc Advisory– Mushroom E-Bulletin 1, February 2025c, she began her career at Horticulture Research International in the UK (1992-2005) and later joined Teagasc (2005-2025) as a Senior Research Officer in the Horticultural Development Department.

Helen started in the mushroom sector working with Dr. John Fletcher, becoming the main industry mushroom pathologist in 1992. Her research helped improve fungicide and non-chemical control of mushroom pathogens and compost moulds. She also identified that microbial degradation in spray equipment was a major factor in reduced effectiveness of crop treatments. In 2005, she received the James Sinden Award from the British Mushroom Growers Association for her contributions.

Since moving to Teagasc, Helen has worked on all major mushroom crop diseases and their management. She led the EU-funded MUSH TV project, which brought together 17 mushroom compost producers, grower groups, businesses, and researchers across five countries. The project developed new diagnostic methods for detecting Trichoderma and Mushroom Virus X (MVX) and led to changes in how growers use disinfectants and disease control measures.

More recently, Helen has focused on biocontrol solutions for disease management and has worked on developing technology for automated harvesting and peat alternatives. She has been a major contributor to the Irish and British mushroom industries and has frequently been invited to speak with growers in Europe, North America, and Oceania.

We wish her all the best in retirement!

Source: Teagasc Advisory– Mushroom E-Bulletin 1, February 2025