The Prince Edward Island Potato Board is now a partner with the Farming 4R Island initiative in an effort to move toward sustainable farming practices.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship (4R) approach ensures that nutrients are applied to agricultural fields using the Right Source at the Right Rate, at the Right Time and in the Right Place to protect soil, water and air for society. Developed by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute in conjunction with the International Plant Nutrition Institute, The Fertilizer Institute, and Fertilizers Europe, the initiative supports farms and communities with practical tools to implement Beneficial Management Practices.
“The 4R Program is a new way we should all be looking at fertilizer application. As an industry, agriculture needs to take a proactive approach to the environmental practices that we use,” notes Gary Linkletter, Chair of the PEI Potato Board.Stakeholders of the initiative have begun work on projects aimed at guiding farmers on Best Management Practices of the 4R program, including:
• Planning to hire a Professional Agrologist to champion the 4R Program on PEI,
• Planning workshops to raise awareness and increase participation in the 4R Program among growers and to promote 4R nutrient management planning with certified professionals,
• Working with a Professional Agrologist to establish five “demonstration” potato farms that showcase the impact of 4R implementation, and
• Developing educational materials to be PEI-specific in scope.
Prince Edward Island Potato Board
