Patrick O’Neill
As a trained soil scientist and agronomist, Patrick O’Neill advocates for soil health education and practice implementation as a consultant to farmers and ranchers and through volunteer efforts with the conservation districts in his watershed. He is the principle at Soil Health Services and is skilled in Soil Health and Soil Fertility Development, Pest Control, Environmental Awareness, Agronomy, Water Resource Management, and Plant Nutrition. Patrick has a Master of Science (MS) degree in Soil Science from Washington State University, and has served as a supervisor for the Mosca-Hooper Conservation District in Alamosa County, within the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Patrick advises row crop farmers growing potatoes, cereals and forages, to help them accomplish their goals of improved soil health. This work involves assisting in cover crop selection, seed mix ratios, utilization timing, integration of livestock grazing and microbial inoculant selection and on-farm development. He also works to identify ways to add to the farm’s resilience, specifically to carefully manage production costs through soil health principle applications. This work to create healthier soils rose from an aversion to toxins in food production along with a dedication to developing healthier farming systems for the farmers and their customers.
Roundtable Facilitator
Creative Solutions to Addressing Labor Challenges in Agriculture