PAKENHAM – West Carleton’s ‘plant doctor’ will be making a house call in Pakenham on Jan. 29 to give a presentation titled Celebrate Soil.

West Carleton agronomist Paul Sullivan is an expert in the science of soil management and crop production. He will be speaking at the St. Andrew’s United Church in Pakenham along with his wife Jean. Together they run Sullivan Agro.

Paul is a graduate of the University of Guelph, B.Sc. (Agr.) Crop Science and is a certified crop advisor. Paul started Sullivan Agro in 1997 to serve the needs of farmers in the Ottawa Valley and Eastern Ontario. Paul operates Sullivan Agro with his wife Jean, three full-time agronomy staff and summer agronomy assistants. The company provides crop recommendations based on fertility, pesticides and varieties, consults on precision agriculture through variable-rate technology and provides in-season crop scouting and soil sampling.

Paul was also a speaker during the Carp Fair’s Talk to a Farmer program held last fall. On Jan. 29 Paul and Jean will be the keynote speaker in the ongoing Community Outreach Speaker Series hosted by the Pakenham Civitan Club as well as the combined effort of several of the area’s churches.

“Humans are dependent on soil for food,” speaker series organizers released in a statement. “Soil erosion and poisoning can and does lead to famine. And, soil erosion contributes to climate change as carbons are released into the atmosphere when soil erodes. Whether you farm hundreds of acres or tend a small backyard garden, understanding how to manage your soil is key to healthy, sustainable crops.”

The event starts at 7:30 p.m.

“Join Paul and Jean, as they help us think about, learn about, and celebrate soil,” organizers said. “Whether it’s cover crops, tillage, technology, compaction, nutrition, soil life or rotation, they’ll discuss the soil and how to care for and sustain it.”