Organic Farming— A Solution for Iowa & Ukraine
How a rural scientist successfully helps farmers transition to healthy organic regenerative practices!
Michael McNeill, PhD— Scientist, Researcher, and Farmer
Learn more about why and how transitioning conventional farm land to organic regenerative practices not only benefits farmers financially, but also benefits our communities by producing healthy soil, clean water, and nutritious abundant food.
Michael shares his recent work in Ukraine this past summer and how farmers are continuing to produce despite the ongoing war. He also shares one farmer’s recent success story who is currently transitioning over 8,000 acres to organic production near Michael’s home town of Algona, Iowa. Michael will also discuss the increased interest of farmers wanting to transition their conventional farms to organic.
Michael McNeill, PhD. has 50+ years of experience as a research scientist and agricultural consultant. He has consulted with farmers on approximately 165,000 acres of cropland in the Middle West. In addition, Michael has consulted with regenerative farming systems in Ukraine, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Canada. He is currently working with farmers to assist them in transitioning to regenerative organic crop production systems. He has transitioned his own farm to organic production 17 years ago.
McNeill is passionate about the relationship between improved soil health and its’ relationship with human health. Currently he is chairman of the board of directors of TRIADA, a non-profit organization devoted to research and teaching of farming and health care systems that enhance both soil and human health by removal of heavy metals and petrochemicals and increased nutrient density of our food supply.
Michael recently participated as a panelist at the 2024 Iowa Nature Summit’s session on Farming, Soil Health, Food and Wellness, moderated by Carole Reichardt, board member, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF)