AS HARDY DESCRIBES IT, HIS WORK OFTEN INCLUDES BEING 'SURROUNDED BY A PLETHORA OF SOIL SAMPLES'. HE ALSO WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
With his role in Soil Health Research and Development Coordinator, Hardy is part of the team that continues to help the PEI Analytical Laboratories run like a well-oiled machine.
At the Lab, Hardy focuses on numerous soil health tests in the physical, chemical, and biological realms which need to comes together to make our Island soil healthy. He's also directly involved in the development of a new Soil Water Capacity Test, plus has interest in advances in using variable rates of fertilizer.
While Hardy didn't grow up directly connected to agriculture, he did compete his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology at UPEI and received Honours. It was during a unique student scientific expedition to the Canadian North that further sparked his interest in environmental science.
Since graduating, his experience in agriculture grew while working with PEI Agriculture Sector Council and being involved in quality assurance for several Island operations. Since starting at the Lab, he's seen first-hand the growing enthusiasm from producers surrounding the idea of soil health.
"The nice thing about soil health testing is it gives producers a little more insight into what specific management practices might be best suited for their soil."
