Satellite Technology Assisting Farmers with Environmental Solutions It’s an impressive site, a potato field with rows perfectly straight from one end to the other. It takes a good operator to run a potato planter, but they have some assistance in achieving those bullet straight rows. The same Global Position Satellites[…]
Kensington Water Management Committee Expands Mandate
The recently renamed Kensington Water Management Committee was formed in 2014 to work with residents of the Town of Kensington to create a water conservation strategy. The Kensington North Watersheds Association (KNWSA) in partnership with the Town of Kensington, received funding from Environment Canada’s EcoAction program for the project. The[…]
ALUS
Alternate Land Use Services (ALUS) The majority of land on PEI is owned by farmers. With this land, farmers not only grow food and are the largest sector of the PEI economy: farmers are also providing our communities with environmental services. In order to minimize the impact of agriculture on[…]
Modern Farm Stream Crossings
The level of respect that farmers have for streams and wetlands (riparian zones) on farms is increasing as our communities become aware of the important role they play in our ecosystem. A riparian zone is the name given to the ecosystem where dry land and water meet. It is an[…]
Helping our Soil with Cover Crops
Cover crops are an essential tool that farmers use to reduce erosion and build soil. On PEI, a cover crop is usually planted in a field following a harvest, usually late in the growing season (September or October). PEI has soft, sandy soils that are ideal for growing a wide[…]
Grass Waterways and Berms
Gullies and watercourses are low spots in a field where surface water will naturally drain. The sandy soils of PEI are highly erodible, in comparison to soils in other regions of the Maritimes. A heavy rainfall event may lead to water quickly running across the surface of a tilled field[…]
Farming Forever Introduction
This is the first in a series of articles that will highlight how our farmers are continuing their efforts to improve farm practices by increasing cooperation between each other and researchers. Kensington North Watersheds Association is teaming up with the East Prince Agri-Environmental Association on a series of projects, including[…]
Bird Watching: Rubber Boots, a Camera and a Smile
I have a love of nature that goes back to my early childhood. Last year, with the support of my family, I chose to return to school and study environmental science. I have heard that learning keeps us young, so understandably, this must be why I feel like a kid[…]
Water Conservation Strategy for Kensington Being Planned
The Town of Kensington is partnering with the Kensington North Watershed Association (KNWSA) in the creation of a Water Conservation Strategy that will be tailor-made to specifically fit the needs and demands of our community. The province of Prince Edward Island is 100% reliant upon groundwater resources to provide us[…]
Hedgerow Programs
Benefits of Hedgerows / Windbreaks Protection from wind damage and pesticides drifts Reduce risk of wind erosion Uniform snow dispersion Barrier against insects and disease infestations Maintain and improve soil moisture (less wind-less transpiration) Barriers between organic and non organic crops Improves natural beauty of the farm Provides habitat for[…]