The Government of Canada has introduced a new "living lab" in Prince Edward Island (PEI) to assist the local farming industry in adjusting to climate changes. This initiative is led by the East Prince Agri-Environment Association (EPAA) and aims to collaborate with farmers, scientists, and others to create, try out, and assess beneficial farming practices that can capture carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Some of the practices being explored include planting cover crops, rotating where animals graze, and establishing natural borders on the land. These methods help to trap carbon in the ground, prevent soil erosion, and improve water quality.
Funding for this project comes from the federal government's Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) – Living Labs program, which focuses on making the agriculture sector more environmentally friendly.
The EPAA has been involved in the ACS program since it started in 2019. They've already led the Living Lab – Atlantic, which has been developing and implementing these beneficial practices on farms throughout the province.
This new living lab builds upon the work of the Living Lab – Atlantic and will concentrate on creating and testing new practices that can help PEI's farms adapt to climate change.
The living lab is anticipated to provide benefits to farmers, scientists, and other parties in PEI. Farmers will gain access to new information and tools that can assist them in adopting these practices. Scientists will have a chance to conduct real-world research on the effectiveness of these practices. Additionally, government agencies and environmental groups will have a platform to exchange insights and collaborate on solutions for climate change.
This new living lab marks a substantial investment in the future of PEI's agriculture sector. It presents an opportunity for farmers, scientists, and others to collaborate and implement practices that can help local farms adjust to climate change and enhance their sustainability.